Cocktail Theology

What makes a protestant protestant? Why are there so many denominations, categories, labels and sub-labels of churches in the US? Join Elane and Benton for a church history lesson. 

Cocktail: The Smoldering Orange

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

Benton and Elane discuss the word ‘repent’—what it is and what it isn’t and why it shouldn’t be followed with an “or else.” Another episode in their series on reclaiming Christian-ese language. 

Cocktail: Key Lime Matcha Cocktail

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

Elane and Benton chat about the meanings—the Latin, the Hebrew, and the English—of the word “abomination.” What qualifies as an abomination? Why would someone use the word at all, especially in reference to another person? And what are the things God considers abominable?

Cocktail: Lemon Drop

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

Suppose the Bible is a living, transformative bunch of books meant to be read with the purpose of learning something new each time you read it? How crazy would THAT be?? Enter Lectio Divina, a meditative way of reading Scripture that invites the Holy Spirit into the experience with you. Elane and Benton discuss this enlightening spiritual practice.

Cocktail: Sidecar

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW! In some churches, evangelism is a primary mission, focused on saving souls and getting people in pews. In others, evangelism is a rarely-mentioned by-product of serving the local community. Benton and Elane take a closer look at what it means to evangelize, another episode in their series on reclaiming language.   

New episodes every Thursday. Listen wherever you stream podcasts!

Cocktail: White Negroni 

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW! Elane and Benton discuss the doctrine of substitutionary atonement--the idea that Jesus had to die to satisfy God’s wrath toward humankind. Spoiler: there are problems with this concept.

New episodes every Thursday. Listen wherever you stream podcasts!

Cocktail: Benton’s White Sangria 

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW! What is deconstruction anyway? It’s a popular term for taking apart religious beliefs when they no longer work for you. But what happens if you take a sledgehammer to everything you believed about God, church, and yourself without building something new from the rubble? Elane and Benton talk about what comes next.

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Cocktail: Amelia Earhart

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

Benton and Elane talk about one of their favorite topics, the Holy Spirit. She can be dramatic and unpredictable. She can be a quieting, awe-inspiring Presence. (They also talk about why they refer to Her with feminine pronouns.) But what does it mean to be “Spirit-filled?” Another episode in their series on reclaiming Christian-ese language.

Cocktail: Gin & Tonic 

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

Elane and Benton chat about what it means to forgive—what forgiveness is, what it isn’t, and why it’s important to not rush it. Based on their School For Seekers course, Forgiving Well. 

Cocktail: Daiquiri 

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

Faith and science have a tough time coexisting. Whether it’s climate change, COVID, or evolution, Christians and scientists disagree on many things. But there’s one thing they most certainly have in common. Benton and Elane discuss. 

Cocktail: CT Berry Gimlet

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.