Ep32: The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology

Ep32: The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology

What if the best protection against bad theology isn’t learning more ... but returning to the pure spiritual milk of the gospel? And what if that pure spiritual milk permanently inoculates you against fear, manipulation, and toxic preaching? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what they call the spiritual vaccine against bad theology. They unpack why true spiritual maturity is built on a healthy foundation. They explain why the simple truths of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, kindness, union, and acceptance are the pure spiritual milk that establishes us so deeply in Christ that unhealthy or toxic theology naturally tastes “off.” Through stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore why one-size-fits-all discipleship often falls short, the importance of understanding progressive revelation, how Jesus continually reshapes our picture of God, the problem with biblical “inerrancy,” and why returning to the simplicity of Christ can inoculate us against fear-based religion, performance, legalism, and manipulation. If you’ve ever wondered why some teachings leave you anxious while others bring peace and freedom, or if you’re trying to rebuild a healthier faith after unlearning toxic beliefs, this episode offers a hopeful invitation to become deeply rooted in the goodness of God. Because the healthiest Christians aren’t the ones who know the most — they’re the ones who have been nourished by the right kind of spiritual milk. If you enjoyed this second part of our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Hey! Jump into Martin’s July challenge called “Simply Jesus” here inside his online community [https://www.skool.com/the-gathering-martin-trench-9443/about?ref=647300f5de9e4c5c8bb9da982bc424f9]! Purchase Martin’s books on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07KTFJ7N1/allbooks] (3 of them were mentioned on today’s episode!) Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode [https://youtu.be/QkElLDgv0WE] or binge the entire series [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGNStEd5SBi6IpExtNMY1Ak9mZGiyu5O5] on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@GetUnhinged]. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy [https://www.skool.com/new-creation-academy-9160/about] Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering [https://www.skool.com/the-gathering-martin-trench-9443/about?ref=647300f5de9e4c5c8bb9da982bc424f9] -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation [https://unhingedpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/] (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged is the podcast that helps you break free from toxic religion, rediscover the beauty of God, faith, and yourself — and laugh along the way. Let’s get Unhinged! -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0jGzVmCBm7Bw02z6rr9gRU] Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/grace-remixed/1832782282] Martin’s books on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07KTFJ7N1/allbooks] -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s YouTube (meditations) [https://www.youtube.com/@NewCreationMeditations], YouTube (grace-based dance music) [https://www.youtube.com/@GraceRemixed], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MichelesKusWords], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michelekuswords], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@michelekuswords], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/michelekus], & website [https://graceremixed.com/] Martin’s YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@MartinTrench-author-speaker], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dr.MartinTrench], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr_martin_trench], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmartintrench], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/martintrench], & website [https://martintrench.com/]   CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 04:13 Why Martin Doesn’t Teach a One-Size-Fits-All Curriculum 09:02 The Atonement: Milk vs. Meat 10:16 Your Theology Shapes Your View of God 11:27 Pure Spiritual Milk Protects You from Toxic Theology & Bad Preaching 17:00 What is Progressive Revelation and Why Does It Matter? 18:30 The Problem with the Doctrine of Inerrancy of Scripture 22:02 The Spiritual Vaccine Against Bad Theology 25:23 This Week’s Reflection Question (Leave Us a Comment!)

Ep31: What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood?

What if the thing missing from your faith isn’t more theology... but a simple spiritual childhood? And what if some of the questions keeping you exhausted don’t need answers right now — they just need to be left on the shelf? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench launch their new Simply Jesus series by exploring what happens when believers grow up too fast spiritually. After hearing many listeners say, “I never had a spiritual childhood,” they unpack why so many Christians were rushed into doctrine, performance, ministry, and having all the right answers before they ever learned the simple foundations of faith. Through stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin discuss spiritual milk versus spiritual meat, inherited beliefs versus integrated beliefs, catechism versus altar calls, the problem with constant correction, and why healthy spiritual growth requires space to wonder, question, and … gasp! … even get stuff wrong! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by religion, exhausted by theological debates, or pressured to have everything figured out, this episode is your invitation to slow down, return to the basics, and rediscover the simple goodness of God. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is LEAVE IT ON THE SHELF! If you enjoyed this first episode in our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Spiritual-Growth-are-next/dp/B087L4NG2Q/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0]. Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode [https://youtu.be/XGwdXQPhHPQ] or binge the entire series [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGNStEd5SBi6IpExtNMY1Ak9mZGiyu5O5] on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@GetUnhinged]. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy [https://www.skool.com/new-creation-academy-9160/about] Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering [https://www.skool.com/the-gathering-martin-trench-9443/about?ref=647300f5de9e4c5c8bb9da982bc424f9] -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation [https://unhingedpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/] (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way. -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0jGzVmCBm7Bw02z6rr9gRU] Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/grace-remixed/1832782282] Martin’s books on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07KTFJ7N1/allbooks] -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MichelesKusWords], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michelekuswords], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@michelekuswords], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/michelekus], & website [https://graceremixed.com/] Martin’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dr.MartinTrench], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr_martin_trench], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmartintrench], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/martintrench], & website [https://martintrench.com/]   CHAPTERS 00:00 Systematic Theology Show-and-Tell 00:44 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 03:02 What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood? 08:30 Why Constant Correction Hurts Spiritual Growth 11:57 Inherited Beliefs vs. Integrated Beliefs 13:33 Catechism vs. Altar Calls: Two Different Approaches to Conversion 14:23 Which Beliefs Should We Examine? 17:47 Leave It on the Shelf! 19:51 What’s one thing you wish someone had told you during your spiritual childhood?

Ep30: Spiritual Parenthood: The Journey Home

What if spiritual maturity isn’t about learning more... but about coming home? And what if the final stage of spiritual growth looks surprisingly similar to the first? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench conclude their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by exploring the often-overlooked stage of spiritual parenthood — the stage where faith becomes less about information, certainty, doctrine, and striving, and more about relationship, rest, wisdom, trust, and helping others grow. Drawing from Martin’s three-stage framework of spiritual growth from 1 John 2, they unpack how the spiritual journey often comes full circle. Spiritual childhood begins with trust, wonder, dependence, and being loved. Spiritual youth is marked by learning, searching, wrestling, overcoming, and growing stronger. But spiritual parenthood isn’t simply more of the same — it represents a profound return to simplicity, peace, trust, and love but this time, with the wisdom of lived experience. Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God, the meaning of the Greek word gnosis, why relationship ultimately matters more than ideology, and why spiritual maturity is less about accumulating answers and more about learning to live from a place of deep rest and trust. They also discuss why many people who deconstruct their faith may actually be operating from a place of spiritual maturity rather than immaturity, why spiritual parents often feel disconnected from youth-focused church culture, and why many churches struggle to address the needs of believers who have moved beyond the spiritual youth stage. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve outgrown religious arguments, endless doctrinal debates, or the need to have all the answers — and instead find yourself longing for something simpler, deeper, and more relational — this episode may feel a lot like coming home. If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Spiritual-Growth-are-next/dp/B087L4NG2Q/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0]. Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode [https://youtu.be/bUKeogeGS1s] or binge the entire series [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGNStEd5SBi4rjEVopP4n6r857OBy7p-z] on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@GetUnhinged]. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy [https://www.skool.com/new-creation-academy-9160/about] Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering [https://www.skool.com/the-gathering-martin-trench-9443/about?ref=647300f5de9e4c5c8bb9da982bc424f9] -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation [https://unhingedpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/] (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way. -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0jGzVmCBm7Bw02z6rr9gRU] Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/grace-remixed/1832782282] Martin’s books on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07KTFJ7N1/allbooks] -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MichelesKusWords], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michelekuswords], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@michelekuswords], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/michelekus], & website [https://graceremixed.com/] Martin’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dr.MartinTrench], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr_martin_trench], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmartintrench], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/martintrench], & website [https://martintrench.com/]   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Recap of the Spiritual Growth Stages 03:04 What Is Spiritual Parenthood? 03:29 Gnosis: Knowing About God vs. Knowing God 06:29 The Parenthood Stage Is about Relationship 08:35 Why Spiritual Parents Often Feel Out of Place in Church 10:42 The Hero’s Journey: How Healthy Spiritual Growth Comes Full Circle 17:32 Every Stage Has Value: No Need To Rush! 20:26 Raised in Church vs. Finding Faith Later in Life 26:13 Final Thoughts: Coming Back Home

Ep29: Spiritual Youth: Why Churches Rush You There... and Then Keep You There

What if the real battle isn’t the one you’ve been fighting? And what if your biggest spiritual problem isn’t the devil at all? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by exploring the spiritual youth stage — the stage of growth characterized by strength, passion, conviction, spiritual warfare, wrestling with scripture, and learning to overcome personal challenges. Together, they unpack why many churches rush believers into this stage as quickly as possible — and then unintentionally build entire church cultures around it. As a result, many Christians spend years or decades focused on fighting external enemies, resisting temptation through willpower, and endlessly searching for deeper spiritual “meat” without ever discovering what comes next. Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore the difference between “fighting the devil” vs finding inner healing, why becoming whole weakens temptation more effectively than willpower, and how spiritual maturity involves learning to recognize when the real battle is happening within. They also tackle the idea of “real meat vs fake meat” — how some doctrines are constructed from stitched-together verses rather than from healthy interpretation, and they examine why spiritual parents sometimes feel disconnected from church culture when it’s aimed primarily at spiritual youth. If you’ve ever wondered why church sometimes feels obsessed with battles, enemies, growing stronger in the Word, and overcoming the devil — this episode may shed some light on that! Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Spiritual-Growth-are-next/dp/B087L4NG2Q/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0]. If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode [https://youtu.be/OyF_j3_vqMQ] or binge the entire series [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGNStEd5SBi4rjEVopP4n6r857OBy7p-z] on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@GetUnhinged]. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy [https://www.skool.com/new-creation-academy-9160/about] Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering [https://www.skool.com/the-gathering-martin-trench-9443/about?ref=647300f5de9e4c5c8bb9da982bc424f9] -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation [https://unhingedpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/] (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way. -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0jGzVmCBm7Bw02z6rr9gRU] Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/grace-remixed/1832782282] Martin’s books on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07KTFJ7N1/allbooks] -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MichelesKusWords], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michelekuswords], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@michelekuswords], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/michelekus], & website [https://graceremixed.com/] Martin’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dr.MartinTrench], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr_martin_trench], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmartintrench], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/martintrench], & website [https://martintrench.com/]   CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 01:31 The Spiritual Youth Stage Explained 03:53 Are Demons Really Your Biggest Problem? 05:54 Why Spiritual Parents Often Drop Out of Church 07:20 Temptation: Fighting It or Healing It? 08:45 Wrestling with Scripture: Learning & Healing 14:14 Real Meat vs Fake Meat Doctrines 16:34 Why Most Pastors Are Still in the Spiritual Youth Stage 18:00 Final Thoughts on the Spiritual Youth Stage

Ep28: Spiritual Childhood: Did the Church Push You to Grow Up Too Quickly?

Why do so many Christians feel pressured to become “spiritually mature” before they’ve even learned to rest in God’s love? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by unpacking why many churches unintentionally rush believers past the foundational childhood stage of spiritual growth — creating pressure, confusion, fear, and performance-based Christianity in the process. Together, they unpack how churches often rush new believers past the “milk” stage of spiritual development and into pressure-filled teachings about spiritual warfare, end times, tithing, performance, and more — trying to get them “caught up” spiritually. Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore why healthy spiritual growth cannot be forced — and why skipping the foundational childhood stage of trust and love can create confusion, fear, exhaustion, spiritual striving, and unhealthy views of God that affect believers over the long haul. Real spiritual growth is not about becoming hyper-spiritual as quickly as possible… but about allowing our connection with God to gradually transform us over time. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by church expectations, pressured to spiritually “grow up” too quickly, or like you skipped over the foundational stage of simply learning to trust God’s love — this episode is for you. Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Spiritual-Growth-are-next/dp/B087L4NG2Q/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0]. If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode [https://youtu.be/DJA1sKeqdYY] on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@GetUnhinged]. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy [https://www.skool.com/new-creation-academy-9160/about] Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering [https://www.skool.com/the-gathering-martin-trench-9443/about?ref=647300f5de9e4c5c8bb9da982bc424f9] -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation [https://unhingedpodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/] (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way. -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0jGzVmCBm7Bw02z6rr9gRU] Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/grace-remixed/1832782282] Martin’s books on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07KTFJ7N1/allbooks] -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MichelesKusWords], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michelekuswords], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@michelekuswords], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/michelekus], & website [https://graceremixed.com/] Martin’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dr.MartinTrench], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr_martin_trench], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmartintrench], Linktree [https://linktr.ee/martintrench], & website [https://martintrench.com/]   CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 02:46 1 John 2 and the “Milk, Meat & Bread” Stages of Spiritual Growth 08:40 The Three Stages in 1 John 2: Childhood, Youth, Parenthood 10:16 The Problem With Skipping the “Milk” of Spiritual Childhood 12:55 What Spiritual Children Need Most 16:31 Why New Christians Feel Pressured to “Catch Up” 21:26 Don’t Rush Through Spiritual Childhood 24:13 Final Thoughts on Healthy Spiritual Growth