Synopsis

For thousands of years, both Christians and non-Christians have argued over what the right beliefs are. In this episode, Benton and Elane take a different approach: what is the bare minimum you can believe or do and still call yourself a Christian?

Today's Cocktail: Diskin Cider  

Music Credits

"Nothing In Between" Words & music by Benton Stokes & Brennan Eagleton

"Surrendering" Words & music by Benton Stokes & Eva Wilson

"Burn It Down" Words & music by Benton Stokes & Melissa Bishop

"You Are Mine" Words & music by Benton Stokes & Janine Smith

Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity  (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)

Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI).  All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Support Cocktail Theology on Patreon. 

Synopsis

Benton and Elane talk with our favorite rabble rouser, noted blogger and speaker John Pavlovitz, about his latest book Hope and Other Superpowers, wonder, civility, kids, and John's coffee virginity.

This Morning's Cocktails 

Prosecco with pomegranate syrup (us), diet Coke (John Pavlovitz)

Music Credits

Music by Benton Stokes 

Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity  (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)

Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI).  All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Support Cocktail Theology on Patreon. 

Synopsis

We went to the Nashville Cocktail Festival, served drinks, and asked innocent attendees four questions about God. Some answers were silly, some were profound, and most were funny...especially as the night wore on.

This special edition of Cocktail Theology contains adult themes and language. Listener discretion is advised.

Tonight's Cocktail

Thoroughly Modern (Scotch, raspberry liqueur, absinthe, bitters, lemon juice)

Music Credits

"Yes Sir, That's My Baby" by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn, performed by Ace Brigode & His Fourteen Virginians

Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity  (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)

Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI).  All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Support This Podcast on Patreon. 

Forests. Beaches. Cathedrals. Grandma's sofa.

What is it about those places that makes them sacred to us? Do we all have sacred places? And why aren't mine the same as yours, even if we experience them together?

Music Credits

"Sitting On The Edge Of Your World" and "Meant to Be" Words & music by Benton Stokes & Matthew S. Garinger

"Sacred" and "Now" Words & music by Benton Stokes

Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity  (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)

Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI).  All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Become a Big Tipper, Regular, or Executive Producer (and receive our thanks & swag) on Patreon. 

Synopsis

You've moved on. You've left a church. Have you left The Church? Have you left God? And what does all that mean for what's next for your community worship, your sense of connection, your life with God?

Benton and Elane discuss what Benton's been doing since he left his church job, and why being part of the consciously-universal Church is so attractive these days.

Listeners--We Want To Hear From You! If you're part of a denomination or connection that is consciously aware of its connection to history and eternity, we want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Music Credits

"Amazing Grace," "It Is Well (With My Soul," "Be Thou My Vision," "I've Got Peace Like A River", all public domain, all played by Benton Stokes.

Synopsis

When the national flag passes by, or the loudspeaker blares The Star-Spangled Banner, what are you supposed to do? 

Does whatever it is you actually do have anything to do with your patriotism?

Is patriotism any more than prettied-up tribalism?

And, if you count yourself a Christian, how does patriotism fit in with your allegiance to a King and a Kingdom? 

Join Benton Stokes and Dr. Elane O'Rourke for flags, anthems, patriotism, and coffee.

Music Credits

"America The Beautiful"

Composer: Samuel Ward (1847-1903). Arranger(s): Carmen Dragon. Performing Ensemble: United States Navy Band. Lyricist: Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929). Publisher(s): Department of Defense

Synopsis

Whether out of prurience or righteous indignation, it's other people's sexuality we talk about most. Are we really talking about their attractions and actions? Does the Bible actually take a single, coherent position? And, if we are seekers after God in the way of Jesus, how should we express ourselves and police our behaviors?

Our Official Fall Cocktail: Cranberry Bourbon Shrub (Scroll down for recipe)

Like Our Podcast? Become a Regular or Big Tipper monthly giver, gaining our thanks and swag, and your own cheerful heart. http://www.patreon.com/cocktailtheology!

Cranberry Bourbon Shrub

Adapted from David Lebowitz's version

Shrub is a curious mixture of berries, sugar, and vinegar. We made three this year--cranberry, pomegranate, and blackberry--along with corresponding simple syrups. Besides mixing well with gin and bourbon, shrubs are fantastic non-alcoholic hot-weather drinks to serve your teetotalling friends.

To make shrub: Place 2 cups berries in a medium saucepan. Add 1/2 cup of water (1 full cup if using cranberries) and 3/4 cups sugar. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until berries are soft and have released their juices. Add 1 cup of fruit-based vinegar (such as good apple cider) or white wine vinegar.

For best flavor, pour into jar and refrigerate for 48 hours.

Strain shrub, gently pressing on berries to release juices.

To make the Fall Cocktail:

Shake together 2 oz. bourbon, 3/4 oz. shrub, one teaspoon maple syrup, and two good shakes of Aztec Chocolate bitters. Strain and serve.

To make a great Mocktail: Add ice to a tall glass. Add 2 oz shrub and two good shakes of Aztec Chocolate or Orange bitters. Fill glass with corresponding seltzer (eg. blackberry seltzer for blackberry shrub) or tonic. Stir well and serve. (For a sweeter drink, add simple syrup to taste).

In Episode 24, Benton and Elane discuss why it is that, when people get into an argument, the argument is rarely about what they think it’s about. We often aren’t actually talking about what we’re talking about, at all.  

This is the problem of paradigms: the way you think about an issue determines how you understand the facts.  So two people looking at the same facts can come to completely different conclusions. What we value determines our conclusions far more than do the facts.

Also making an appearance: drum corps, songwriting, confirmation hearings, comic books, postmodernism, Quote Bunny, tribal affinities, chartreuse, the lack of reality, humility, Jesus, and ice cream cones.

Part Two: What Are We Talking About When We’re Talking About Other People’s Sexuality?

Part Three: What Are We Talking About When We’re Talking About Patriotism?

Did Jesus wish he'd done things differently? Do you? How do we evaluate what we've done, not with condemnation, but with  "beginner's mind"? What does it mean to look back and learn, so we can forge ahead?

Music Credits

"Better Than I Ought To Be," "People Change" Words & music by Benton Stokes

Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity  (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)

Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI).  All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

When is it time to take someone you admire--to the point of idealization--off the pedestal? When is your admiration mostly nostalgia, the memory of your glory days?  Benton and Elane discuss the value of critiquing our idols, of growing up, and of the appeal of actual human frailty. 

Tonight's beverage: Zeka Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir 

Music Credits

Piano improvisations by Benton Stokes.

Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity  (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)

Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI).  All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.