Thinking Allowed with Michael Wilson

Michael Wilson

"Thinking Allowed" fearlessly delves into discussions about the journey of following Jesus, the dynamics of the Church, theological concepts, and thought-provoking life challenges. No question is considered out of bounds, as thinking is allowed.

  1. JAN 16

    Is Your 'Holiness' Just Fear in Disguise?

    "If holiness means separation, why did Jesus keep crossing the lines?"For years, many of us were taught that holiness meant distance. Distance from "the world," distance from messy people, and distance from anything that felt morally complicated. But what if the "holiness" we practiced was actually just fear management in disguise?In this episode of Thinking Aloud, I’m getting brutally honest about how holiness has been weaponized into spiritual isolation. I share my own journey of moving away from a performance-based, fearful faith toward a version of holiness that isn't fragile—a holiness that actually looks like Jesus.We’re breaking down:-- How "staying uncontaminated" became a tool for control.-- Why Jesus was known as the "friend of sinners" while many of us have no non-Christian friends.-- The difference between being "set apart" and being isolated.-- Why your holiness isn’t something that can be "shattered" by the world.If you’ve ever felt like a spiritual misfit or a "burnt stone" trying to find your place in a rigid system, this conversation is for you. It’s time to stop seeing people as projects and start seeing holiness as a devotion to love, not a retreat from humanity.📘 *FREE RESOURCE:*Ready to dig deeper? Download my free guide *Holiness without Walls*: https://michaelwilson.org/ta-bonusesTime Stamps00.00 -- Introduction 01:16 -- Naming the Problem: Holiness has been weaponized.05:57 -- Exposing the Flaw: Separation was never the point.14:01 -- Reform the Belief: Holiness is not separation from people.17:13 -- Practice: Who, or what, have I been avoiding?21:00 -- Closing Reflection: Jesus didn't come to separate us from humanity.#ThinkingAloud #Deconstruction #Holiness #CulturalChristianity #SpiritualMisfits #Jesus #FaithJourney #Legalism

    25 min
  2. JAN 8

    The "Gospel" of Fear is a Lie

    Is your faith fueled by a "low-grade constant anxiety" about disappointing God? For many, modern Christianity has operated on a diet of dread, using fear of judgment or the "threat of hell" to enforce obedience. But if fear is the engine of your faith, something is wrong with the story you’ve been told.In this episode of Thinking Allowed, host Michael Wilson dismantles the bad belief systems that keep us stuck in behavior management. We’re exposing why fear-based preaching produces "rotten fruit"—like performance, shame, and legalism—and how to reconstruct a faith built on the radical truth that the Gospel begins with belonging.In this video, we discuss:-- Why fear-based Christianity is not the true Gospel.-- The difference between "Judge-centered" and "Father-centered" views of God.-- How religious trauma uses fear to silence questions and enforce conformity.-- The "Luke 15 Principle": Why you belong to God even when you feel lost.-- Practical steps to break the cycle of performance-based religion.If you are a spiritual misfit, a burnt stone, or someone walking through church deconstruction, this conversation is for you. It’s time to move from compliance to freedom.📘 *FREE RESOURCE:*Ready to dig deeper? Download my free guide to help you overcome fear-based Christianity and reclaim your identity as a beloved child of God: https://michaelwilson.org/ta-bonuses✨ *CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:*Facebook: facebook.com/MichaelWilson70Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!Time Stamps00.00 -- Introduction 01:25 -- Naming the Problem: Fear has become the engine of faith.04:28 -- Exposing the Flaw: Fear produces rotten fruit11:44 -- Reform the Belief: The Gospel begins with belonging.18:14 -- Practice: What am I afraid God will do to me right now?22:40 -- Closing Reflection: The Gospel creates sons and daughters#ReligiousTrauma #ChurchHurt #Deconstruction #SpiritualMisfit #GospelOfGrace #ThinkingAllowed #Christianity #FaithOverFear #RenovateChurch

    27 min
  3. JAN 1

    Does God Get Tired of Your Mistakes?

    If you've ever struggled with religious shame or performance-based faith, this is the message you need to hear.That belief quietly shapes how millions of Christians pray, relate to God, and view themselves. It produces shame, insecurity, and a constant sense of letting God down.In this episode of Thinking Allowed, we confront that belief head-on.We examine why disappointment is the wrong category for understanding God’s posture, why Jesus never treated people with disappointed distance, and how grief over destructive choices is not the same as being disappointed in someone’s identity.This episode directly addresses:- Why many Christians feel God is frustrated with them- The difference between divine grief and human disappointment- What Scripture actually means when God “grieves” or “regrets”- How Cultural Christianity creates performance-based faith- Why Jesus reveals a God who moves toward broken people, not away- How to stop living under religious shame and start living from unionIf you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly letting God down, this conversation will challenge that assumption and help you rethink how God actually relates to you.In This Episode You’ll Learn:- Why disappointment assumes unmet expectations God never had- How Jesus proves God’s posture toward sinners and strugglers- What to do with difficult Scriptures in Jeremiah and the prophets- Why God confronts actions without attacking identity- How to replace self-criticism with curiosity- What a healthy “return posture” looks like in real lifeReflection Question:Where did you first learn that God was disappointed in you?📘 *FREE RESOURCE:*Ready to dig deeper? Download my free guide Holiness without Walls: https://michaelwilson.org/ta-bonusesChapters02:05 – Naming the Problem: The belief that God’s default posture is disappointment03:47 – Exposing the Flaw: Why disappointment requires unmet expectations13:35 – Reforming the Belief: Union, not performance, shapes God’s posture17:07 – Practice: Living as Someone God Is Not Disappointed In21:12 – Reflection Question & Closing

    24 min
  4. 05/08/2025

    The Two Beasts and the Mark

    Understanding Revelation: Demystifying a Mystical Book.Revelation 13 is one of the most controversial and misunderstood chapters in the entire Bible. It talks about beasts rising from the sea and the earth, the mysterious number 666, and the infamous “mark of the beast.” But what does it actually mean — and why does it matter today?In this deep-dive video, we unpack Revelation 13 in plain language. We’ll explore the symbols, context, and message behind the text — and how it speaks to our modern world. Whether you're worried about end-times prophecy, curious about the Antichrist, or skeptical of religious fear tactics, this video is for you.👀 Here’s what we cover:-- Who or what are the two beasts in Revelation 13?-- Is the "mark of the beast" a microchip, a vaccine, or something deeper?-- What does 666 really mean in the Bible?-- How power, deception, and worship play into this prophecy-- Why this message still matters for followers of Jesus todayThis channel is for misfits, seekers, and those who've been hurt by church but still crave truth. If you’re spiritually restless and looking for real talk, not religious hype, hit play — and let’s dive into Revelation like never before.🧭 Subscribe for more biblical breakdowns, spiritual encouragement, and fresh takes on faith.#Revelation13 #MarkOfTheBeast #EndTimesProphecy #BibleStudy #ChristianYouTube #SpiritualMisfits #BookOfRevelation If you're interested in learning more about the Renovatus, the church I pastor, check out: https://renovatus.org/To learn more about me and my personal ministry check out my website at: https://michaelwilson.orgEmail me at: michael@michaelwilson.org

    41 min

About

"Thinking Allowed" fearlessly delves into discussions about the journey of following Jesus, the dynamics of the Church, theological concepts, and thought-provoking life challenges. No question is considered out of bounds, as thinking is allowed.