100 episodes
Cocktail Theology Benton Stokes & Dr. Elane O'Rourke
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- Religion & Spirituality
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
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Can I Be Smart And Be A Christian?
Christians are often portrayed as dumb as they hold onto ideas that are out of step with culture, science, and sometimes even common sense. But are Christians short on intellect or just change-averse? Elane and Benton chat over boulevardiers.
Cocktail: Boulevardier
Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online. -
Richard Hays And The Big About-Face
For decades, Richard Hays has been the leading New Testament scholar among conservatives. His case against LGBTQ+ people continues to justify queer exclusion in evangelical circles. But he has written a yet-to-be-released book with his son, Fuller Seminary professor Christopher Hays, that reverses his position, allowing for full affirmation of queer Christians in the church. Elane and Benton discuss the LGBTQ+ response and the implications of the Hays’ about-face.
Cocktail: Martini
Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online. -
How Should Christians Respond To the War In Israel?
American Christians are deeply divided on what our response should be to the Israel-Hamas War. The religious and political right support Israel no matter what, but why? And what is the big deal about campus protests denouncing the violence against Palestinians? Elane and Benton get into the thick of it.
Cocktail: Lemon Drop
Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online. -
What Makes A Progressive Christian Progressive?
Progressives of any kind are generally thought of as forward-thinking non-traditionalists who dare to question conventionality and work at cultivating and spreading new ideas. Some of that is true of some progressive Christians. But ancient ideas, Biblical context, history, and lived experience are all vital to a healithy, progressive Christian life. Elane and Benton discuss what makes a progressive Christian progressive in the first episode of Cocktail Theology’s fifth season!
Cocktail: Manhattan
Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online. -
The Incarnation
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Jesus and Hercules? Well, we can think of a few. Elane and Benton close out Season 4 with a conversation about the Incarnation.
Cocktail: Evan Williams (Extra Noggy) Eggnog
Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online. -
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.