Wretched Radio with Todd Friel - Fortis Institute

Latest Episodes:

Here’s Why Church Feels Like A Chiropractic Appointment For Your Soul Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Lots of us in the south cancelled gathering last Sunday due to inclement weather - and there are spiritual consequences to skipping church. • Church isn’t something we do just to do - it’s a weekly realignment of our lives. • Even when gathering is hard, faithful churches find creative ways to feed their flocks. Segment 2 • Kevin DeYoung models how to preach a one-off sermon with clarity, structure, and gospel power. • Biblical preaching must consider the genre of the text. Historical narrative, poetry, wisdom, and gospels don’t all preach the exact same. • The aim in good preaching isn’t just increasing knowledge, but to draw sinners to Christ as we learn more about him and are conformed to His image. Segment 3 • Disturbing church protests raise questions for parents: what if your child is trapped in the chaos? • Churches must prepare now — when agitators disrupt worship, there won’t be time to get ready. • Comparing violent protests to Jesus cleansing the temple is biblical malpractice. Segment 4 • Churches are absorbing secular values — “Flamy Grant” drag shows prove it’s more than a trend. • Postmodern self-expression is replacing reverence for biblical truth in pulpits and pews. • As persecution rises globally, now’s the time to clarify our mission: be holy, not popular. ___ 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!

Stop Dating Like a Pagan: What God Actually Requires Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Don’t date to just find the right “vibes”… there are actual things that you should be looking for, as a believer, if you are dating. • The Bible doesn’t speak directly to our experience of dating, but does direct us how to find a mate. • Want a marriage that lasts? Start asking better questions of a prospective spouse now. Segment 2 • Date for more than meets the eye: looks fade and even personalities can change • If he won’t lead now, don’t assume he magically will later. • Beware of dating when you are vulnerable - you won’t be in the right frame of mind to make big decisions Segment 3 • Todd reviews a book on assurance: “Resting In Sovereign Grace” by pastor Joshua Banks. • You’re not saved because of your performance, but because of Christ’s performance on your behalf. • No Christian has ever been saved by the strength of their faith, but by the object that they place their faith in: Christ. Segment 4 • Todd reviews Nate Pickowicz’s book, “Overcoming the Darkness” • Sometimes our emotional lows are more than just a bad day, and we need to be aware of prolonged seasons of emotional darkness. • There are real causes of spiritual depression that can be discovered and addressed. ___ 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: False Teachers, Pastor Problems, And The Promises Of God Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Can false teachers be forgiven, or are they too far gone? - Eric • My wife and I disagree about our church. While I love it, she says she’s unable to learn under our pastor. What should we do? - Anonymous Segment 2 • Todd continues his comments on the last question about difficulties learning under a pastor, and what the right next steps are. Segment 3 • Is “Todd” your real name? - Anonymous • What happened to the “Too Wretched For Radio” segment with Phil Johnson? - David • Do you have suggestions for books written by, or written about, the Puritans? - Marion • There are so many promises from God in scripture. How can I know which ones apply to me as a believer today, and which ones are for different peoples or nations depending on the context? - Merry Segment 4 • Todd continues his discussion of the Puritans, especially a book by Jeremiah Burroughs, “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment”. • How can I help someone who is in the midst of active psychosis? - 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!

When Worship Is Disrupted, Are You Ready to Respond? Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Cities Church in Minnesota was invaded mid-service by protesters. Are you ready if it happens to your church? • Government is called to protect, but when it doesn’t, the church must be prepared to respond wisely. • Are public disruptions and protests legal in sanctuaries? Here’s what Christians need to know. Segment 2 • Inside info from Cities Church: they avoided escalating tension, showing restraint. • Yes, your church has legal protection under the FACE Act. • Should pastors confront protesters directly? Segment 3 • Document the disruption, but avoid emotional confrontation. • Have a plan: ushers, kids’ ministry, security—every team should know exactly what to do. • Parents must be in the loop so that no one is confused if the occasion comes. Segment 4: The Blessing and Cost of Persecution • 1 Peter reminds us that persecution isn’t a curse—it’s a blessing and calling. • Persecution, though painful, draws us closer to Christ as we see the suffering he underwent for us. • Being hated for Christ’s sake is a sign of God’s favor. Prepare your heart to suffer 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!

Witness Wednesday: What If You’ll Never Be “Good Enough” For Heaven? Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

It’s Witness Wednesday! Join Todd Friel on campus at Georgia Tech as he engages students in conversations about faith, where we come from, and the creation of the universe. Through several conversations, listen along as the truth of God’s word is brought to bear on the worldview of several real-life students. Segment 1 • Todd Friel stops an architecture student and uses a building’s design to argue for a Creator. • The student insists the universe isn’t really “organized,” pushing Todd to press the bigger question: How much evidence is enough? • The conversation turns into a blunt reality check about what people ignore every day, even when it’s right in front of their nose. Segment 2 • Todd talks with a biomedical engineering student who says that some “impossible” events are totally plausible. • The student claims morality is subjective and shrugs off guilt—until Todd uses the Ten Commandments to test the “good person” claim. • The exchange ends with the student frankly admitting he doesn’t care about judgment. Segment 3 • Todd meets Junior from Jamaica, who calls himself a Christian… but can’t explain the gospel clearly. • Todd walks Junior through God’s law, exposing how “good person” confidence collapses under honest self-examination. • Junior admits he’s still “searching,” and Todd urges him not to confuse religious familiarity with true saving faith. Segment 4 • Todd speaks with Dan, a Catholic civil engineering student, and presses the logic of salvation-by-good-works until it breaks. • The courtroom analogy lands hard: being “sorry” or doing “extra good” doesn’t erase real guilt, or satisfy justice. • Todd lays out the “great exchange” and calls listeners to stop striving, repent, and trust Christ alone before it’s too late. ___ 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!

Superman Sermons + Prosperity Preachers: How Low Can “Church” Go? Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Which clip is more cloying? • A progressive clergy stunt as woke pastors storm the lobby of Target HQ. • Tony Robbins gives worldly wisdom to a suicidal man and turns it into a joke about his shoes. Segment 2 • Jesse Duplantis and his prosperity preaching is almost totally unmatched in terms of blasphemy. • Prosperity preaches point you towards getting more stuff while scripture points you towards getting more of someone - Jesus. • The inheritance we have waiting for us after this life makes earthly wealth look like nothing. Segment 3 • The recent scandal from Phillip Yancey begs the question: why are so many older saints failing to finish well? • The church cannot afford to adopt the world’s definition of love, but must see it as God’s word does. • A good finish to the Christian life takes time and training… but it can leave an incredible impact. Segment 4 • That image of someone collapsing right before the finish line of a race? That could happen to anyone. • We need to be close to people in the church so that they can tap us on the shoulder when we’re faltering. • Don’t get tired, don’t give in to pain - run the race 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!

Protesters Storm a Sunday Service: What Would You Do? Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • The political shifts in Minnesota across recent decades have been cataclysmic. • Anti-ICE protesters storm a church mid-service, with cameras rolling. • Peter’s letters on sanctified suffering suddenly read like tomorrow’s news — are you prepared? Segment 2 • How would you handle political protestors storming the doors of your church? • Our suffering must be grounded in our salvation: what Christ has done for us. • Focusing on Jesus and His work - like the pastor of that church did - is the only way to weather the coming storm. Segment 3 • We must think about how scary-good AI is getting. • We are creatures that are made to work - and we should not offload all of our work to machines. • There are elements of the human experience that will never be able to be replicated by robots. Segment 4 • AI is the next in a line of extreme technological advancements that humanity has faced. • Where will things be with AI and automation a decade from now? • Do we need to prepare ourselves for pastors that aren’t strictly human? ___ 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: Asking Jesus Into Your Heart, Mormon Evangelism, And Gender Madness Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Not a question, but wanted to share with you guys, as a long time listener, that I’ve finally joined a Bible-teaching church. Thanks for all you’ve done! - Gabe • How can I discern when it’s time for me to stop serving in a particular area of ministry? - Anonymous Segment 2 • My friend, who is also a believer, is going to join a church that has a “husband and wife pastor team”. How strongly should I warn him against this? - Vinnie • Is self-awareness in regard to humility a biblical teaching? -Anonymous Segment 3 • Is it wrong for me to limit my time with a family member because they mistreat me? - Murphy • How strictly should we follow speed-limits? - Anonymous Segment 4 • The degree I am pursuing has bought into the “gender-affirming”/preferred pronoun stuff. Should I push back against this? - Ben • How can I best share the gospel with Mormons that come knocking on my door? - Jonathan • Is “ask Jesus into your heart” a valid evangelistic approach? - Brent ___ 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 Hell Eternal? Phil Johnson & Denny Burk Respond Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

Segment 1 • Not all doctrinal errors are created equal: some are skin-deep, while some are truly fatal. • Denying core attributes of God (justice, omnipotence, Trinity) moves you firmly outside Christian orthodoxy. • Secondary issues can quietly morph into primary threats if they implicate larger, more central theological issues. Segment 2 • Hell may be a secondary issue… but it’s not just a “friendly disagreement.” • Rejecting eternal punishment often stems from seeking to redefine God’s character as only loving. • It may seem harmless, but it warps the gospel and threatens scriptural foundations. Segment 3 • Phil Johnson says that questions can be asked, but not every doctrine should be endlessly debated. • If one wants to deny hell, one usually has to get around some pretty clear words from Jesus. • Most historical rejections of hell came from cults or liberal fringe—not the faithful church. Segment 4 • Today’s “just asking questions” mindset is often doubt disguised as curiosity. • Hell isn’t up for revision—it’s central to Jesus’ message and the urgency of the gospel. • Tone matters, but clarity matters more: eternal conscious torment is the historic, biblical truth. ___ 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: Can All Beliefs Be True at the Same Time? Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

It’s Witness Wednesday! Today we travel to Kennesaw State University where students are asked about issues like postmodernism, grace, and the biblical worldview. Students Matt and Joseph are challenged to truly consider Christ and His gospel. Segment 1 • Matt identifies as a Christian but embraces postmodernism and radical subjectivity. • Todd walks him through historical worldviews and exposes the flaw in relativism. • Matt begins reconsidering postmodernism after realizing it can’t account for objective moral truth. Segment 2 • Todd challenges Matt with five core questions: origin, purpose, morality, guilt, and destiny. • Christianity uniquely answers all five through the person and work of Jesus Christ. • Matt is struck by the clarity and coherence of the gospel message compared to other belief systems. Segment 3 • Todd urges Matt to consider truth as that which aligns with objective reality, not just feeling. • Christianity isn’t about blind faith—it’s about trusting God as He’s been revealed. • Todd explains that real love means courageously sharing truth, even when it's uncomfortable. Segment 4 • Joseph professes belief in God but thinks salvation results from our good works. • Todd gently corrects him, explaining Jesus paid our debt fully, and forgiveness cannot be earned. • Joseph listens, affirms belief in Jesus, and seems impacted by the clarity 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!

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