Cabernet and Pray

What happens when Christianity gets weaponized for political gain? When culture wars hijack the gospel of love? In this episode, we unpack John Fugelsang's book, Separation of Church and Hate, exploring why following Jesus might actually mean breaking up with some forms of Christianity. Pour a glass, lean in, and let’s talk about what it really means to love God and neighbor in an age of outrage.

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What if doing the right thing still made you guilty? Dietrich Bonhoeffer believed that following Jesus sometimes meant stepping straight into the mess—into what he called “the fellowship of guilt.” But was he right? In this episode, we grapple with one of the most challenging ethical questions in the Christian narrative: Can faithfulness ever necessitate breaking the rules?

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What happens when Christians start rethinking the very idea of hell? In this episode of Cabernet and Pray, we sit down with Brian Recker to ask the questions many of us were told we weren’t allowed to ask. Is hell really eternal conscious torment? What about annihilation? Could universalism actually be more faithful to Jesus? And how do history, culture, and scripture all play into the pictures we’ve inherited? We pour a g...

What if the shrinking of evangelicalism isn’t a crisis to be feared but an opportunity to rediscover something truer, leaner, and more like Jesus? In this episode, I sit down with author Michelle Van Loon to talk about what’s being lost, what’s worth keeping, and why smaller might actually be better for the future of faith. Grab a glass, pull up a chair, and join us as we explore how downsizing could make room for growth t...

What if you’re not the same person you used to be—and that’s exactly the point? In this episode, I explore the strange and beautiful truth that growth requires us to let old versions of ourselves fade away, like water waiting to be turned into wine. From awkward past opinions (yes, I found some of mine in print!) to Taylor Swift lyrics and even a little wisdom from Brian Zahnd and Rob Bell, we’ll talk about what it means t...

In this episode, we dig into why the most famous command in Christianity has become more of a coffee mug slogan than an actual way of life. We’ll explore how we’ve domesticated Jesus’ radical ethic into something polite and toothless… and what it would take to bring its wild, world-flipping power back. We’ll look at what happens when faith stops being about certainty and starts being about curiosity. Pour a glass, pul...

What if evil is never as strong as it seems? In this episode of Cabernet and Pray, we wade into the heaviness of the world (child trafficking, genocide, injustice) and wrestle with what it means to have hope in the face of it. We explore a surprising biblical theme that runs throughout the Psalms and the prophets. We consider Bonhoeffer’s call to jam a spoke in the wheel, Brueggemann’s reminder that tyrants fear ...

What if we told the stories the church has tried to bury? In Episode 51 of Cabernet and Pray, I sit down with Lucas Wilson—academic, editor of Shame-Sex Attraction, and survivor. We dive into the sobering realities of conversion therapy, explore the toxic cocktail of shame and theology, and examine how fear—especially the fear of hell—is weaponized to cause unimaginable harm. Lucas brings a mix of wit, candor, and charm to...

Is America a Christian nation? In this bold milestone episode of Cabernet and Pray, we take a hard look at Jesus’ own criteria for judging nations from Matthew 25. Spoiler: Jesus doesn’t mention Supreme Court rulings, Ten Commandments in schools, or how many evangelicals show up to vote. He talks about the poor, the immigrant, the sick, and the prisoner. This episode might ...

What if there’s more to Jesus than the guy in sandals from Nazareth? In this episode, Kevin Sweeney returns to dive into the deep end of the theological pool—exploring the radical beauty of the Cosmic Christ and the liberating call of the Concrete Jesus. It’s the episode where mysticism meets justice, the black prophetic tradition meets the mystics, and we explore how to resist the “abstract white Jesus.”

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What if loving your neighbor means confronting someone else? In this episode, Jeremy takes a deep dive into a misunderstood (and rarely discussed) concept in Christian ethics: the paradox of tolerance. What happens when hospitality toward one becomes hostility toward others? And what if Jesus intentionally excluded people... for the sake of the vulnerable?

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Ever wondered what happens when two theologically curious podcast hosts bring their shows together over a glass of wine? Episode 47 is part divine disruption, part spiritual therapy session, and 100% a good time. Jeremy Jernigan sits down with Josh Patterson of Rethinking Faith to talk about reconstructing theology, open and relational views of God, and why some former pastors become bartenders. This episode is...

What happens when one of the most provocative theological voices of our time sits down with a glass of wine and reimagines everything? In this episode, Jeremy talks with Brian Zahnd about peacemaking, the prophetic role of the church, why evangelicalism may not recover, and what happens when we start to believe Jesus actually meant what he said. It’s bold, it’s challenging, and it’s full of grace. Plus, there a...

What if the only thing separating you from deeper faith… is your doubt?

In this episode, we uncork the connection between spiritual curiosity and our inability to see clearly — and why that’s not a flaw, but a feature of real theology. Jesus doesn’t demand certainty. He invites wonder.

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This week, we’re uncorking a bold conversation that challenges assumptions, celebrates authenticity, and dives into the complexity of faith and identity. What does it mean to be queer and Christian? You’ll hear personal journeys, tough questions, unexpected grace, and the beauty of holding space for queerness in spirituality. Whether you're in the pews or at Pride, this one’s for you.

Are there different ways to understand hell in Christianity? In this thought-provoking episode, Jeremy tackles one of the most challenging theological concepts that many struggle with. If you've ever questioned traditional teachings about eternal punishment or wondered if there are other interpretations supported by scripture, this episode offers a refreshing perspective that...

What if drinking wine was more than just a pleasure—it was a spiritual practice? In this episode, we sit down with theologian and wine expert Gisela Kreglinger to explore the deep connections between wine, faith, and community. Growing up in a German winery, Gisela brings a unique perspective on how wine shapes our conversations, our celebrations, and even our theology. From the role of wine in biblical times to the way it...

Is karma real? Or does Jesus operate in a way that turns our sense of fairness upside down? In this episode, we dive into one of Jesus’ most radical parables from Matthew 20, exploring why fairness might not be the point—and why that’s actually good news. Grab a glass of wine and join us for a thought-provoking discussion on grace, justice, and what it really means to follow Jesus.

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Join Jeremy and Tim Whitaker, founder of The New Evangelicals, for an unfiltered and entertaining conversation tackling tough topics in faith, church culture, and beyond—all while sipping on wine. Whether you're wrestling with your faith, navigating church hurt, or just curious about new perspectives, this episode delivers humor, depth, and a lot of honesty. Don’t miss Tim’s unforgettable attempt at opening his first bottl...