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    Cocktail Theology

    Life and God from a very broadly Christian perspective, with no filter, over cocktails. Progressive, Biblically grounded, LGBTQ-affirming, candid discussions about faith, life, politics, roller coasters, sex, and anything else that matters. ABOUT THE HOSTS Benton Stokes is a songwriter, a recording artist, an author, a worship leader, a podcaster, a collector of comic books, a lover of roller coasters, a dad, a friend, and (with ministry partner Elane O’Rourke) half of School For Seekers. Benton has a passion for helping post-Evangelicals, particularly queer men, find their way to healthy theology and healing perspectives. Benton co-hosts (with Elane) Cocktail Theology — a podcast that tackles topics such as defining what an abomination actually is, exploring why Christians and science are at odds all the time, and reclaiming Christian-ese language like “born again.” All while sipping tasty libations. Rev. Dr. Elane O’Rourke is a spiritual director, lifelong teacher, theologian, mom, contemplative, Enneagram 1, and a bunch of the things Benton wrote. She was a philosophy prof for a decade, a pastor for another decade, and the instigator of School For Seekers since 2014. Elane’s first book was A Dallas Willard Dictionary, written to explain the difficult words of Christian philosopher Dallas Willard, which may explain her role in the podcast she co-hosts with Benton, Cocktail Theology. Elane’s deepest desire, and life’s work, is for you to believe that you are God’s cherished and beloved child, worthy of care and respect. For more information about Cocktail Theology, or its sponsor, School For Seekers, visit www.schoolforseekers.com
    enSchool For Seekers100 Episodes

    Episodes (100)

    Moral Authority

    Moral Authority

    What is moral authority and where does it come from? Do we as a society care about moral authority? And where should Christians look for moral authority (besides Jesus, of course)? Benton and Elane discuss while sipping a Prohibition Era cocktail, the Scofflaw.

    Cocktail: Scofflaw

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Christians In Congress

    Christians In Congress

    Should Christians vote for Christians to represent them in government? If the answer is “yes,” then the next question is “why?” Elane and Benton discuss, among other things, the qualities and qualifications that cause people of faith to vote for one person over another.

    Cocktail: Pressure Drop

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Power

    Power

    Power—and the desire each of us has for it—is the concern God confronted when They handed Moses the Ten Commandments. Bottom line: Power is at the root of sin. Elane and Benton have a (rather philosophical) conversation about the pitfalls of power.

    Cocktail: Stokes’s Sidecar

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Recognizing God's Voice

    Recognizing God's Voice

    God moves--and speaks--in mysterious ways. Benton and Elane chat about the ways they have (and haven’t) heard God speak, and pose the question: "How do you know it's God?"

    Cocktail: The Ford Cocktail 

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Godliness

    Godliness

    Elane and Benton discuss the meaning and misunderstandings around the word ‘godliness’ as it appears in the Bible and in fundamentalist ideology—while drinking bourbon, as one does. 

    Cocktail: The Preakness Manhattan

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Holidays & Holy Days

    Holidays & Holy Days

    What makes a day “holy?” Within our many faith traditions, we may mark some days as holy, but what about as a culture, a society? Elane and Benton chat about holidays and hoy days while sipping a festive fall cocktail.

    Cocktail: Calabaza Borracha (Drunk Pumpkin)

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    An Exploration Of Denominations

    An Exploration Of Denominations

    Why are there so many denominations? If we all worship the same God, why can’t we all do it together? Should we all be working together to find common ground, or is it okay that we have 10,000 different ways to do it? Elane and Benton start an exploration of denominations while sipping a fall cocktail.

    Cocktail: The Dusty Apple

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Contentment Isn't Happiness

    Contentment Isn't Happiness

    Contentment, at least the kind the Apostle Paul wrote about, is more than just happiness. More than the absence of pain or disappointment. More than the glow of health, wealth, or success. Elane and Benton talk about what contentment is (and isn’t), and how we get it (and keep it).

    Cocktail: The Perfect Rye Manhattan

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Moral Compass

    Moral Compass

    Have we lost our moral compass—assuming we ever had one? Elane and Benton discuss where our morals come from as a society, what counts as “truth,” and our one hope—hint: Jesus taught it—of ever living as a moral society.

    Cocktail: Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Worship

    Worship

    NEW EPISODE! When we sing our worship songs, gather in worship services, enter into worship, what does all that mean to God? And what does that mean for us? Benton (a worship leader) and Elane (a preacher/teacher) discuss what worship is and why it’s important.

    Cocktail: Elane’s Tequila Sunrise

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Faith

    Faith

    NEW EPISODE! Where do our ideas about faith come from? Is there such a thing as “biblical” faith? Is faith something you earn, keep, lose? (And what was George Michael singing about exactly?) Benton and Elane talk faith over drinks.

    Cocktail: My Tailor Is Rich

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Hello, I'm A Christian

    Hello, I'm A Christian

    If I tell you that I’m a Christian, what does that say to you? Does it make you want to ask questions? Run for the nearest exit? Punch me in the face? The term “Christian” is loaded, for sure. And many of us who seek God in the way of Jesus have concerns. Elane and Benton discuss.

    Cocktail: El Diablo

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Poor, Unfortunate Souls: The Doctrine Of Depravity

    Poor, Unfortunate Souls: The Doctrine Of Depravity

    If we each have a soul, where do souls come from and where do they go when our bodies die? Are souls bad by nature or created good? How does God feel about our souls? Benton and Elane talk about souls and depravity while sipping a great cocktail, as usual.

    Cocktail: I’ll Have What She’s Having

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    Pro-Life

    Pro-Life

    Elane and Benton discuss what the term “pro-life” means these days—politically, philosophically, and spiritually. WARNING: Some of the content in this episode could be upsetting or triggering to some listeners. Discretion is advised.

    Cocktail: September In Maine

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

    QAnon, Christendom, And What To Do About Aunt Bea

    QAnon, Christendom, And What To Do About Aunt Bea

    What do you do when Aunt Bea wants to talk about the QAnon theories she believes at Thanksgiving dinner…again?? How does a Jesus-follower respond to Christian nationalism? And is Christianity actually Christendom? Elane and Benton discuss.

    Cocktail: Name TBD

    Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.