Wretched Radio with Todd Friel - Fortis Institute

Latest Episodes:

Feel-Good Faith, Easter Silliness, & Pastor Politicians Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Todd tasks Jimmy with a very important choice. • From Franklin Graham to Raphael Warnock—two pastors with two completely different messages. • Faith Night on American Idol sounds spiritual… but are the songs actually saying anything meaningful? Segment 2 • What does it really mean to “pray for the president”? • When vague spirituality replaces Christian clarity, the lines between politician and pastor are blurred. • Todd presses the issue: if you can’t explain your prayer, are you actually praying? Segment 3 • Easter is about hope… but a general appeal to a vague, spiritual hope misses the point. • Big churches might have a glossy, polished Easter message and still fail to preach the gospel. • Could watered-down gospel presentations be creating confident—but false—converts? Segment 4 • Churches that simply want to attract the attention of unbelievers have drifted far off course. • From parody videos to real-life Easter gimmicks—how far can things drift before truth disappears? • What you win people with, you win them to. ___ 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!

No Wrath, No Sin… No Gospel? Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • The hidden danger of replacing real church congregations with online echo-chambers. • A low view of Sunday worship is creeping in—and it’s reshaping how you think about God. • When sermons become casual stories, worship becomes something it’s not. Segment 2 • Why do so many pastors feel the need to “relate” instead of proclaim? • Self-focused storytelling would feel wrong during worship music. Why does it pass in preaching? • When the sermon becomes about the pastor’s life, the word of God is left aside. Segment 3 • Even compelling-sounding Easter messages leave something important out. • Saying “Jesus died for your sins” sounds right… but does it actually explain anything? • Could this missing “why” be the reason people respond emotionally—but never truly understand the gospel? Segment 4 • When you remove sin, wrath, and judgment, you may not have any good news left. • Even strong, polished Easter messages can fall short—what essential truth is being left out? • If churches win people with comfort, spectacle, or entertainment… what are they actually converting them to? ___ 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!

Good Friday: The Cross, Your Guilt, & The Life You Must Lose Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • If the cross is everything… why does your faith still feel disconnected? • Stop looking for God’s love in blessings—look at Calvary instead. • What actually happened 2,000 years ago—and why does it change everything for you? Segment 2 • Why would it please God to crush His own Son? • You don’t understand how much God hates sin—and that should terrify you. • What if your “small sins” are enough to condemn you forever? Segment 3 • Think you understand the cross? Make sure you haven’t softened it. • What did Jesus physically endure—and why should that shake you? • If this is what your sin costs… have you taken it seriously? Segment 4 • The cross isn’t about improving your life—it’s about killing your old one. • Why “asking Jesus into your heart” might not mean you’re saved. • Have you actually died to yourself—or are you still trying to save your life? ___ 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!

Political “Preacher”, Paula White Shock, & Selective Outrage Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • A woman preaches politics, identity activism, and “rights” - but something’s conspicuously missing. • What happens when churches replace Christ’s mission with cultural causes? • Abandoning biblical authority forces churches to invent new “missions” that feel meaningful—but aren’t. Segment 2 • Paula White compares Donald Trump to Jesus—oh boy. • A lot of culturally Christian language sounds really good… and means nothing. • Why even prominent social and political leaders still get salvation wrong. Segment 3 • Why do so many Christians think they know the gospel—but can’t explain it? • Todd’s encounter at Georgia Tech reveals a bigger problem: what are churches missing? • If key elements like sin, judgment, and repentance are absent… is it still the gospel? Segment 4 • Smash Jesus, but never Muhammad—why the selective outrage? • A politician fined for quoting Scripture—are biblical convictions becoming criminal? • If culture punishes truth and rewards compromise, what happens to Christians who won’t bend? ___ 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!

Witness Wednesday: Chance Creation, The Problem Of Evil, & Catholic Doubts Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

It’s Witness Wednesday! Are you prepared to see the insanity of radical subjectivity put to the test? What about our own consciences? Join Todd for real, on-the-street conversations about faith, truth, and Christ’s gospel. SEGMENT 1 • Taj claims truth is subjective—until Todd exposes the contradiction. • Being raised in a Christian environment does not make one a Christian. • If you’re clearly guilty before a just God… how can we have real hope? SEGMENT 2 • Peyton rejects design in the universe—Todd highlights the error with a simple analogy. • Think you’re a “good person”? A quick test exposes lying, lust, theft—and a verdict you probably won’t like. • If God already knew you’d sin, are you still accountable when judgment comes? SEGMENT 3 • Tiernan was told by a Catholic teacher to leave Christianity and explore other beliefs. • If God can erase your guilt, remove your shame, and give you purpose—what’s the reason that you’re rejecting Him? • Is your conscience just psychology… or evidence that you’re accountable to a Creator you can’t ignore? SEGMENT 4 • Tiernan rebuts Todd with the classic objection: the problem of evil. Can Christianity survive this? • Todd reframes the gospel: not just escape from hell, but a complete rewiring of how you think, feel, and see reality. • If Christianity answers guilt, suffering, purpose, and truth—what’s actually stopping you from surrendering today? ___ 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!

Todd Talks Parenting And More With Dr. Ted Tripp Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Todd sits down with Dr. Ted Tripp, author of “Shepherding a Child’s Heart”. • Are parents confusing a child’s ability to use tech with actual readiness to handle it? • Porn, smartphones, and distraction—there is a veritable minefield out there for the next generation. Segment 2 • Why are Christian kids walking away—and is disengaged parenting the real root issue? • Influence and intentionality in our children’s lives doesn’t just happen—it takes real effort. • Identity crises, online affirmation, and peer pressure—are your kids being discipled more by screens than you? Segment 3 • That our kids should own and use a cellphone shouldn’t be taken as a given. • Influence vs. authority: which one actually keeps your teenager from rebelling? • It may not be the case that every child has to go through a rebellious phase. Segment 4 • It’s never too late for parents to reach their children—even those parents who feel like they’ve failed. • Are you giving your kids behavior control… or actually shepherding their hearts? • When everything feels lost, your hope must be not in your own parenting power—but in the power of the gospel. ___ 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!

Guest Hosts: Justin Peters, Jim Osman & Gabe Hughes | What Makes a Church Healthy? Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Guest hosts: Justin Peters, Jim Osman & Gabe Hughes • The church must not copy business models or government structures. • Churches chasing worldliness to attract the world lose their distinctiveness. Segment 2 • Baptism and communion aren’t rituals—they’re visible reminders of the gospel • Worship that entertains people often stops honoring God • Some churches draw crowds—but they’re feeding goats, not sheep Segment 3 • Most churches avoid church discipline—even though Jesus commands it • Matthew 18 isn’t optional—it’s how the church deals with sin • When discipline is ignored, sin spreads—but when it’s practiced, the church is purified Segment 4 • Church discipline: loving restoration or something most churches are too afraid to practice? • What happens when someone refuses to repent—and why that changes everything • If your church never confronts sin, is it protecting people… or failing them? ___ 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! .

Mailbag Friday: Guilt vs Grace, Conscience Clarity, Family Tension Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1 • Can Christians participate in sports like boxing, football, and paintball, or does this mean they are thinking evil thoughts about punching, tackling, and shooting? - Andrew • Is it wrong for someone to be uncouth? For example, if someone says hello to me and I don't say anything back, is that a sin? My hyper-conscience condemns me for acts like this, but I don't want to disregard the guilt if it is from the Lord. - Phillip • I've been saved for almost 4 years now. I struggle with cussing... but in my mind only. How can I stop this? - Pearl Segment 2 • What is the difference between a Christian having a strong conscience vs a seared conscience? - Ryder Segment 3 • What is your favorite book of the Bible? - Marie Segment 4 • My wife and I go to a small church of about 30 people. Over the last few years, there have been several weddings in the church, and now almost all the church is family, including my wife and I. Is this a problem? - Anonymous • How does a Christian let shame and guilt go? When I fall into sin, I get very angry with myself because I failed. I know I'm looking at myself and my efforts, not at what Jesus has done for me, and that's the wrong way to look at it. How can I let my pride and anger go, stop focusing on my own efforts, and focus on what Jesus has done? - Ray • Since my brother got married to his pagan wife, I have no desire to speak to him. I feel as if he has spat in our faces and, more importantly, that he's spat in God's face. I am angry and hurt, but don't want to be. What do I do about my relationship with my brother? - Anonymous ___ 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!

“Why Are You A Christian?” 100 Students Answer Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • 100 students, professing to be Christians, asked one simple question. Can they answer it? • Some share the benefits of a relationship with Christ, but miss the thrust of the gospel. • If an unbeliever heard your testimony, would it actually lead them to Christ? Segment 2 • “Jesus changed my life,” “I have purpose,” “I feel fulfilled”—are these reasons or results? • Why emotional experiences and life improvement fall short of explaining true salvation. • The uncomfortable question: have we replaced the gospel with clichés? Segment 3 • We can see what vague answers vs. crystal-clear gospel articulation actually looks like. • What must be included in a real gospel explanation—God, sin, wrath, Christ, response • Truth - not subjective results—is the true foundation of our faith. Segment 4 • There are far too many “church kids” who are unable to explain the gospel. • Are we entertaining and assimilating students instead of calling for conversion? • The deeper concern: is weak articulation connected to why so many walk away? ___ 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!

Witness Wednesday: Hell, Justice, and Your Final Verdict Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

It’s Witness Wednesday! Todd Friel is on campus at The University of Georgia where he meets two students who are willing to talk about their religious beliefs. What will happen when their own conscience says “you’re guilty”? The tension builds to a sobering question you can’t dodge: if God judged you today, would you really be ready? Segment 1 • Todd meets Reese, a religion student, and asks: what’s really the difference between atheism and agnosticism? • Can all religions be true at once - or are they mutually exclusive? • The conversation pivots from intellect to conscience as Reese admits moral guilt—what happens when your own standards condemn you? Segment 2 • Todd walks Reese through the Ten Commandments, forcing a personal verdict: guilty. • Jesus is the Lamb who takes your punishment… but does Reese actually want Him? • Reese’s verdict is honest but devastating. Segment 3 • Todd meets Tyler, who admits he doesn’t know the meaning of Easter, which leads Todd to ask: How? • The gospel is explained from creation to resurrection—but Tyler resists one key issue. • Eyewitness evidence for the resurrection is introduced—would 500 witnesses willing to die change your standard for truth? Segment 4 • Tyler challenges biblical reliability with the “telephone game” critique. • What carries more weight: intellectual arguments or moral critiques of our conscience? • Todd presses the law—liar, thief, adulterer at heart—if God judges you today, would you really be ready? ___ 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!

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