Advertise on podcast: Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

A church applauds their pastor’s second wife, Chuck Swindoll shares a glimpse of enduring love, and a congregation walks out to prank its pastor. Todd examines what these moments reveal about false teaching, your marriage, and how we treat the church. Segment 1 • How Todd’s trip renewed his wonder of God. • Can a false teacher still be a nice guy? • A church celebrates its pastor’s second wife. Segment 2 • A pastor’s second wife calls their relationship God’s will. • Chuck Swindoll shares a tender moment with his wife amid dementia. • What does lasting love offer that the world can’t? Segment 3 • Why do some sermons move you while others fall flat? • What this church prank reveals about our attitude towards Sunday morning. • What happens when you leave your church without explaining why? Segment 4 • Is the way you read Scripture making people tune out? • Can you be both evangelical and Roman Catholic? • How should you respond when a president talks faith? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1 • Does “the God of second chances” imply chance? — Jeff • Can the sinner’s prayer give false assurance? — Owen Segment 2 • Should preaching or singing come first in church? — Suvasish • Does the Bible require church membership? — Jimmy Segment 3 • How do I confront a Christian friend’s crude jokes? — Anonymous • Patriarchy vs. complementarianism: What’s the difference? — Matt Segment 4 • Could life beyond Earth fit with the Bible? — Travis • How should churches handle breastfeeding complaints? — John • How do we keep pets from becoming idols? — Kyle ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Are Christians expecting government to accomplish what only the gospel can? Philip De Courcy joins Todd at the Ark Encounter to examine Christian nationalism and why ordinary life may matter more to God than you realize. Segment 1 • What serving as an officer in Belfast taught Philip about trusting God. • When does political involvement obscure the Gospel? • What should Christians expect from government? Segment 2 • Can you reject Christian Nationalism and still love your country? • What are you praying for your children to become? • How can you serve God in retirement? Segment 3 • Is your church pushing older believers aside? • How the pressure to be “radical” may be stealing your joy. • Can you serve God without leaving everything behind? Segment 4 • Does your secular job count as ministry? • Should you feel guilty when you’re not thinking about God? • Can taking a nap bring glory to God? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

It’s Witness Wednesday! Todd meets a Presbyterian who isn’t afraid to defend his faith and a Catholic who’s counting on his good works to get to heaven. Two conversations with some important lessons about sharing the Gospel. Segment 1 • Could you explain the Gospel as confidently as this Presbyterian? • What can we learn from Samuel’s boldness about Christ? • Are Seventh-day Adventists Christians? Segment 2 • Does Adventism’s investigative judgment contradict the Gospel? • Why did Samuel leave the Baptist church for Presbyterianism? • Is Jesus our Sabbath rest, or must Christians still keep a Sabbath day? Segment 3 • A Nigerian Catholic believes in the power of words. • How good is good enough to get into heaven? • How Todd uses a stranger’s name to introduce Jesus. Segment 4 • John says he trusts God. So why does Todd keep pressing? • Is salvation about more than escaping hell? • Can your good works make God love you more? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Are your convictions about women’s roles grounded in Scripture, or have you added rules God never gave? Megan Basham joins Todd at the Ark Encounter to discuss women in ministry and her battle with cancer. Segment 1 • Has the church adopted feminism’s definition of success? • Are you wasting your gifts by choosing motherhood? • What makes motherhood harder to celebrate than a career? Segment 2 • Can a woman oversee your church’s finances? • When do restrictions on women become legalism? • How Megan’s modesty article upset an unexpected group. Segment 3 • How loving others shapes what you wear. • Can a wife earn more than her husband? • Is leading a ministry the same as leading a church? Segment 4 • Trusting God’s sovereignty when cancer hits. • Is the search for medical answers fueling your fears? • How to face a diagnosis without falling apart. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Are you looking for a faithful church—or simply a group of people you feel comfortable with? Todd and Pastor H.B. Charles discuss church diversity, worship preferences, and the kind of preaching that reaches the heart. Segment 1 • Should your church reflect your neighborhood? • Should churches deliberately pursue ethnic diversity? • When does seeking people like you become a problem? Segment 2 • Are your worship preferences biblical? • Why fellowship beyond your own age group? • One church, two very different responses to preaching. Segment 3 • An unexpected gesture begins a lasting friendship. • Can you hear someone’s hurt without debating it? • Are you listening—or just preparing your rebuttal? Segment 4 • Is your pastor preaching or merely lecturing? • Can quiet preaching still stir your heart? • How should a pastor prepare his heart before preaching? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1 • Can Christians celebrate Halloween? — Devon • Are nativity scenes idolatrous or blasphemous? — Beth • How do I witness to Mormon missionaries? — Amanda Segment 2 • How can I feel God’s love after having a terrible father? — Anonymous Segment 3 • Does porn disqualify a pastoral candidate? — David • Could adopting during infertility overstep God’s will? — Danny Segment 4 • How do I answer a universalist claiming translation errors? — Mark • How can I help my younger brother overcome laziness? — Henry • How do Israel’s wars differ from Quranic commands? — Jonathan ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

How do you stand firm on biblical truth without turning a Gospel conversation into a fight? Todd and Greg Koukl explore how to defend your faith and handle disagreements without compromising truth. Segment 1 • Should every disagreement divide Christians? • Defending the faith without becoming contentious. • Can Christians disagree about creation and remain friends? Segment 2 • Standing firm in your beliefs without being harsh. • Is your desire to “win” undermining your evangelism? • When graciousness gets mistaken for compromise. Segment 3 • Answering the “personally against abortion” position. • Are you hearing the person behind the objection? • How your tone can make people dig in. Segment 4 • Challenging “Wrong for me, fine for others.” • When do apologetics tactics become manipulation? • How your expression could undermine your words. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

It’s Witness Wednesday! At Georgia Tech, Todd meets a Christian who is reluctant to call other religions wrong, a Jewish student who sees no need for a Savior, and a believer put on the spot to share his faith. Segment 1 • Todd tests a new conversation starter. • A Christian hesitates to say other religions are wrong. • When does being nice become withholding the truth? Segment 2 • Answering a student who dismisses Jesus as make-believe. • Can Todd use a Jewish student’s own laws to point him to the Gospel? • He respects Jesus—but something is holding him back. Segment 3 • Can Old Testament sacrifices help Todd reach this Jewish student? • He calls God’s expectations unreasonable. • How can God punish sin and still forgive? Segment 4 • Todd gives a Christian 30 seconds to witness. • Is “Jesus changed my life” enough? • How do you reach someone whose life is going well? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

An actor from The Chosen endorses a pro-abortion candidate, and a church choir sings the Backstreet Boys. Todd examines what both reveal, and also considers how we preach God’s wrath and what young people are seeking in church. Segment 1 • Is Obama overlooking his own role in America’s division? • What happens when a student challenges Ben Shapiro on Israel? • Is the Bible really silent on abortion? Segment 2 • The Chosen actor endorses James Talarico. • Who gets to define a “true Christian”? • Where is your money going when you support The Chosen? Segment 3 • Jesus’ response to tragedy might surprise you. • Have we softened our warnings about God’s wrath? • What if you can’t forgive yourself? Segment 4 • A church choir performs the Backstreet Boys. • Why are Stanford students turning to Catholicism? • Is your church chasing trends young people are rejecting? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Andy Stanley just announced he’s leaving his senior pastor role at North Point—but who votes on his successor at a church with no formal membership? Todd examines church membership and the preaching of Stanley’s proposed successor, then tackles homecoming dresses, modesty, and the conversations parents may be avoiding. Segment 1 • Andy Stanley’s upcoming departure as senior pastor. • North Point’s unusual requirements for voting on a successor. • Should your church come looking when you leave? Segment 2 • Have we softened what Scripture says about false teachers? • Was Jonathan Edwards too harsh? • Todd examines a sermon from Stanley’s proposed successor. Segment 3 • Responding to Allie Beth Stuckey on homecoming modesty. • Is modesty just a male lust problem? • When does calling something “legalism” become an excuse? Segment 4 • What your daughter’s clothing is communicating. • Can parents say no—even when everyone else says yes? • How to teach your daughter modesty without shaming her ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1 • How do I respond when family blames my pain on a lack of faith? — Anna • Should a Baptist attend a Lutheran church? — Sylvia Segment 2 • Was it answered prayer or coincidence? — Hallie • When should churches address conspiracy theories? — Noah Segment 3 • Can an interlinear Bible help if I don’t know Greek or Hebrew? — Gordon • Can past sexual sin disqualify me from church leadership for life? — Stuart Segment 4 • How do I respond to “Christians don’t need church”? — Anonymous • How do I question my church’s Beth Moore study? — Josh • How can I tell if someone from a nominal church is saved? — Rochelle ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Is your Gospel presentation missing something essential? Todd shares Paul Washer’s approach to evangelism, then examines who is shaping your kids’ beliefs and whether a Christian school can give you peace of mind. Segment 1 • The ELCA’s “queer confirmation” challenges parental convictions. • More boys are attending youth groups, but is it revival? • Could your Gospel presentation be missing a crucial piece? Segment 2 • Paul Washer explains where evangelism should begin. • What should you tell someone who responds emotionally to the Gospel? • How do you reach those who think Scripture is outdated? Segment 3 • Who is teaching your kids to see the world so differently? • Students champion free speech, then demand censorship. • Should you leave public school if you can’t afford alternatives? Segment 4 • A Christian university calls “in Christ alone” white privilege. • Why do young people confide in AI over pastors? • One mother turns off her kids’ devices and sees a change. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

It’s Witness Wednesday! At Georgia State University, Todd talks with the president of the communist club, a student comparing religions, and a Baptist hoping to earn heaven. Segment 1 • Todd steps into a debate about free will. • Jay says there’s no evidence for God. • Todd presents God’s law, then leaves Jay to consider judgment. Segment 2 • A student cites Ecclesiastes to argue that death is the end. • He thinks being better than others gets you into heaven. • He respects the Gospel, but does that mean he accepts it? Segment 3 • A student raising money for cancer research is pro-choice. • A Baptist believes he can earn his way to heaven. • He says he repents regularly, so why does Todd press further? Segment 4 • Todd returns to Jay with the intention of sharing the Gospel. • Jay challenges him over morality, prophecy, and Scripture. • When does evangelism become casting pearls before swine? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Rome promises history, unity, and authority, but do those claims hold up? Todd examines Dave Stotts’s conversion to Catholicism, the controversy over Enoch, and why Christians look beyond Scripture for answers. Segment 1 • The host of Drive Thru History becomes Roman Catholic. • Does belonging to the historic church mean joining Rome? • Becoming Catholic means more than changing worship styles. Segment 2 • If Enoch isn’t Scripture, why does Jude quote it? • Does that quotation undermine the Bible’s authority? • Enoch’s claims about the Messiah deserve a closer look. Segment 3 • Why do Jesus Calling and The Shack resonate with Christians? • What are readers finding in these books that they’re missing in church? • Which of God’s attributes is the greatest? Segment 4 • Todd confronts an article excusing sexual assault to fight racism. • Why would feminists excuse sexual assault by migrants? • How moral compromise can erode a college student’s faith. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!