Wretched Radio with Todd Friel - Fortis Institute

Latest Episodes:

DIDN’T GET THE APOLOGY YOU WANTED? HERE’S WHY YOU STILL MUST FORGIVE Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1 • Forgiveness isn’t optional—even when repentance isn’t perfect. • Broken trust with family means hard, intentional work to rebuild it. • TRANSFORMED SEASON 4 sets the stage with practical application. Segment 2 • OnlyFans is exploding across college campuses—a tragic cultural trend. • Lecrae releases Reconstruction while flirting with deconstruction themes. • AI “truth” is shaky; apostasy and self-made “truths” define deconstruction. Segment 3 • Jimmy preaching on deconstruction at camp—Gen Z’s battlefront. • Even Sproul and MacArthur disagreed—unity is bigger than uniformity. • Don’t treat church like a product—show up to participate, not consume. Segment 4 • Jen Hatmaker admits she left the church, maybe for good. • Simply showing up to church encourages others more than you think. • Marriage isn’t about convenience—it’s a God-designed school of character. ___ 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 TO ENJOY GOD’S CREATION – WHILE KEEPING AN EYE TOWARD WHAT’S TO COME Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1 • Todd reflects on God’s kindness in creation, quoting C.S. Lewis on earthly pleasures pointing to greater ones to come. • Ken Ham is a crook? Todd has thoughts. • Cornerstone Conference was a major success—filled with encouragement and fellowship. Segment 2 • Todd and Jimmy compare their conference weekends—Cornerstone and White Harvest. • Scott Klusendorf praised as the best pro-life apologist; Greg Koukl to guest soon. • Darrell Harrison warns against theology that never gets applied; Phil Johnson’s return was a blessing. Segment 3 • Parents who feel “ghosted” by their kids are not alone—this is a growing societal trend. • The local church is essential—only place to fully practice the “one anothers.” • Parents can’t play Holy Spirit for their kids—must trust God and His means. Segment 4 • The danger of cell phones in shaping kids’ views of life and marriage. • OnlyFans reflects a broken sexual culture; many young men still long for marriage. • Practical counsel: start acting like a husband/father now, and look for a biblically grounded wife. ___ 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!

THINK YOU’RE UNIFIED? THE HIDDEN DIVISION NO ONE TALKS ABOUT Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1: • Is a call for “authenticity” in church just a cover for pride? • How do I know if God’s calling me to preach—even if I don’t feel qualified to do so? Segment 2: • Are churches selling branded merchandise guilty of the “money changers” problem? • What are the best biblical homeschool curriculum options? • How can I actually experience more of the Holy Spirit’s work in my life? Segment 3: • How do I stay humble and let myself be taught by others, when I’ve so often been the one teaching others? Segment 4: • How can I replace video games with something that honors God—and actually enjoy it? ___ 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!

OVERWHELMED BY PRAYER? HOW TO FIND PEACE WHEN YOU CAN’T PRAY FOR EVERYONE Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

It’s Mailbag Thursday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Welcome to a special edition of “Mailbag”! Segment 1 : • How do I handle the guilt of not praying for everyone I know? Segment 2: • Should Christians really give away all their possessions? • How often should believers meet—are we doing church wrong today? Segment 3: • How do we biblically decide how many kids we should have before we are done? Segment 4: • Is playing the lottery sinful—or could God use it for good? ___ 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!

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL: WHY PURGATORY DOESN’T ACTUALLY COME FROM THE BIBLE Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

It’s Witness Wednesday! Todd Friel takes to the streets for witness encounters. Through these candid discussions, Todd explores the complexities of faith, sin, and salvation, aiming to uncover what people truly believe about eternity. Segment 1: • Todd explains why purgatory isn’t biblical, teaching that believers are made perfect instantly after death. Segment 2: • Jordan denies God’s existence and dismisses the afterlife as a fairy tale. • Todd challenges him on sin, judgment, and eternity, exposing deep contradictions in Jordan’s thinking. • Despite resisting, Jordan hears the gospel message and leaves with something serious to ponder. Segment 3: • Lindsey believes she’ll reach heaven because she’s “a good person”, but Todd walks her through the 10 Commandments to show her need for forgiveness. • Erin, a recent Catholic school graduate, struggles with balancing religion, lifestyle, and true repentance. • Both confront the reality of sin and leave questioning what they truly believe about salvation. Segment 4: • Garrett, 19, shares how his search for meaning through drugs and partying left him empty. • Now a born-again Christian, he explains Christ’s sacrifice and why faith isn’t just about belief but transformation. • His story becomes the surprise twist of the day, revealing hope for anyone seeking redemption. ___ 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 FEAR OF GOD BECOMES PARALYZING: HOW TO FIND FREEDOM Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

It’s Mailbag Tuesday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Welcome to a special edition of “Mailbag”! Segment 1: • How do I point my divorcing parents toward Christ when one is a believer and the other isn’t? • Are independent or non-denominational churches biblically sound? • How do I overcome a paralyzing fear of God? Segment 2: • Does online dating show a lack of trust in God’s plan? • How do I warn my family about dangerous NAR teachings without pushing them away? Segment 3: • Should churches openly share details about pastoral candidates and the hiring process? Segment 4: • What’s the shortest, clearest way to explain the gospel to someone? ___ 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 TO TRULY HONOR PARENTS WHEN THE RELATIONSHIP ISN’T HEALTHY Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1: • How do I honor my parents when constant conflict leads to yelling? Segment 2: • Is it okay for pastors to use AI as a “wordsmith” without crossing into sermon plagiarism? Segment 3: • If a sermon doesn’t include the gospel, does that make it unorthodox? Segment 4: • Should pastors confront chronic lateness even if it risks losing people? ___ 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 DRINKING ALCOHOL ALWAYS SINFUL? HOW TO THINK ABOUT CHRISTIAN LIBERTY RIGHTLY Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1: • Todd is corrected on what church pastor Tom Pennington serves at. • Did MacArthur’s memorial change your opinion on bagpipes? • How can I approach a Catholic funeral without compromising my faith? • Should Christians avoid alcohol completely—or just avoid drunkenness? Segment 2: • Do altar calls distort the gospel—or can they be helpful? Segment 3: • How should I counsel two young Amish men considering leaving their community? • I’m 13 and want to share the gospel—where do I start? Segment 4: • Has my fitness routine become an idol—or am I overthinking it? • Should I sing at my old church’s Christmas event—or would that hurt our new ministry? ___ 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!

DO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT’S WORTH DIVIDING OVER? Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1: • Conservative Christianity saw a resurgence decades ago—but pride and inflated opinions fractured it. • The MacArthur Memorial revealed surprising unity with leaders like Piper, raising big questions. • Are we elevating secondary issues to essentials and repeating secular cancel culture? Segment 2: • Scott Aniol’s “Conviction and Charity” points toward a healthier future for conservative Christianity. • Tone and tenor matter—we’ve all felt and likely contributed to the online heat. • G3’s pivot could help the local pastor and church recalibrate. Segment 3: • Key question: when do you call out error, and when do you show charity? • Biblical conviction must never fade, but secondary issues shouldn’t destroy fellowship. • The church must grow in discernment without weaponizing it. Segment 4: • Theological sharpness is good—but not our identity. • Have we been distracted from our Father’s business by endless squabbles? • Unity in Christ must outweigh division over non-essentials. ___ 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 “GOOD PEOPLE GO TO HEAVEN” IS THE MOST SPIRITUALLY DANGEROUS LIE Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

It’s Witness Wednesday! On today’s episode of Wretched Radio, Todd Friel is back on campus for a special 'Witness Wednesday.' As Todd engages students, he highlights the importance of understanding and embracing the gospel, repentance, and the grace of God. Segment 1: • Ein admits to believing in God but doesn’t fully understand why Jesus died. • Thinks he’s “a good person,” but Todd walks him through God’s standard and sin’s seriousness. • Hears the gospel clearly: Jesus took his punishment, offering forgiveness and eternal life. Segment 2: • Drew dresses whimsically but reveals deep spiritual confusion, calling himself “saved” for “fire insurance.” • Admits living for himself, distant from God, and fearing death and judgment. • Todd explains the true gospel — salvation isn’t about effort or labels but trusting Jesus fully. Segment 3: • Todd’s conversation with Drew continues: Drew confesses struggles with lying, stealing, and lust but thought Christianity was about “being good.” • Todd shares a powerful analogy about bad restaurants to explain why Jesus rescues sinners, not the “good.” • Learns salvation is a gift of grace, not earned by works, and forgiveness is complete. Segment 4: • Anna wants to grow in evangelism but struggles with clearly presenting the gospel. • Todd teaches her to focus on forgiveness of sins in Christ, using God’s law to reveal our need for a Savior. • Anna learns the difference between guilt-driven religion and grace-fueled obedience — a life transformed by Jesus. ___ 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!