Wretched Radio with Todd Friel - Fortis Institute

Latest Episodes:

FINISHING WELL: WHY THE WAY YOU END YOUR JOURNEY MATTERS Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1: • John MacArthur’s memorial service featured a booklet he wrote on finishing well. • Reflecting on legacy forces us to ask: Am I prepared to end faithfully? • Warm fellowship at the memorial reminds us the Christian life is a community journey. Segment 2: • Dr. MacArthur urged believers: don’t just grow old—finish strong. • Intellectual pursuit is good, but love for Christ, and others, must not grow cold. • Purity in thought and conduct matters, especially when nobody’s watching. Segment 3: • Celine Dion’s documentary reveals how idols fail when life gets tough. • Six diagnostic questions to help uncover hidden idols of the heart. • If Christ isn’t enough without your idol, He won’t be enough with it. Segment 4: • Church isn’t just a hospital—it’s also a training ground. • Practical biblical principles help households navigate sin and struggle. • Gratitude and gospel-centered living prevent families from falling into cycles of dysfunction. ___ 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!

MACARTHUR’S MEMORIAL SERVICE REVEALED THIS IMPORTANT TRUTH ABOUT UNITY IN CHRIST Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1: • John MacArthur’s memorial included surprising voices like Alistair Begg—raising questions about unity and division. • Ecumenism: should secondary disagreements divide us, or is cancel-culture thinking creeping into the church? • Challenge: Have we cut off brothers and sisters unnecessarily? Segment 2: • John Piper unexpectedly delivered a 16-minute eulogy at MacArthur’s memorial. • Longstanding disagreements didn’t prevent friendship, fellowship, and mutual respect. • Are we too quick to divide where MacArthur himself did not? Segment 3: • Piper praised MacArthur as “an extraordinary preacher,” showing a deep bond of friendship. • Encouragement: disagreements don’t have to equal disdain. • Can Christians model unity around the essentials while holding firm convictions on secondary issues? Segment 4: • Piper’s presence shocked many—but highlighted love and brotherhood over acrimony. • Theological debates are a means, not the end—Christ is the center. • The church must choose: division over secondary issues, or unity in Christ? ___ 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!

“GOD TOLD ME”: HOW TO THINK BIBLICALLY ABOUT GOD SPEAKING AUDIBLY TO PEOPLE Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Segment 1: • Is it possible to hear God’s voice audibly today—or is that a spiritual red flag? • Do Christians need to dress up for church—or is that just tradition? • Should I bother debating Christians who believe the Earth is flat? Segment 2: • Should elders rotate or stay in leadership long-term? • Is artificial intelligence being influenced by demons—or are we overreacting? Segment 3: • How do I recognize when I’m crossing the line into anxiety? Segment 4: • How do Todd and Jimmy plan sermons and Bible lessons effectively? • What’s the real difference between being “evangelical” and just Christian? ___ 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 RISK-TAKING LOVE LEADS TO A THRIVING, NOT BARELY ALIVE, MARRIAGE Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Wait a minute — that’s not Todd! Today on Wretched Radio, Fortis Institute Fellow and Thrive host, Pastor Brad Bigney, steps in as guest host to discuss the key components to a marriage that thrives! Segment 1: • Brad Bigney guest hosts, and explains how God can move your marriage from surviving to thriving. • Real love requires risk: giving for another’s good with no strings attached. • God’s Word—not feelings or experts—guides thriving marriages. Segment 2: • Fear blocks intimacy and fuels self-protection, pretending, and shutdowns. • Love and fear are opposites—God’s love frees us to risk loving others. • Knowing God as “Abba” gives security to love boldly in relationships. Segment 3: • Focusing on a spouse’s faults poisons relationships—gratitude restores joy. • Thoughts shape emotions and actions; wrong thinking fuels conflict. • Gratitude shifts perspective, even through trials, planting marriages in healthier soil. Segment 4: • Small, daily gratitude habits re-root marriages in joy and stability. • Expressed gratitude snowballs into marriage, parenting, and friendships. • Guarding thoughts and focusing on grace transforms homes—but gratitude is not for abuse cases. ___ 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 PERSON? WHY THIS ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSES THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

It’s Witness Wednesday! In this episode of Wretched Radio, host Todd Friel travels to Georgia Tech. He engages with several students, challenging their views on evolution, morality, and Christianity. Through thought-provoking conversations, Todd explains the gospel, sin, and redemption, aiming to awaken these student’s consciences and encourage them to consider the God that created them. Segment 1: • Eduardo grew up Catholic, but unsure of afterlife: says he's a "good person." • Admits to breaking God’s commandments but hopes for mercy. • Todd explains the gospel as Jesus paying Eduardo’s moral debt — the only way to avoid hell. Segment 2: • Joey believes in evolution and rejects intelligent design despite his programming background. • Confesses to lying, stealing, lusting — yet insists morality can exist without God. • Todd appeals to Joey’s conscience and shares how Jesus satisfies both God’s justice and mercy. Segment 3: • Dallas, raised Catholic, is now more loosely “Christian”, and admits to sinning and doubts personal goodness. • He learns why God gave the commandments — not to “win” but to show we’re sinners in need of a Savior. • Todd presents Dallas with a clear, full explanation of the gospel. Segment 4: • Riley doesn’t consider himself religious but has “heard it all before.” • He acknowledges sin and God’s standard — but questions grace, responsibility, and eternal consequences. • Todd likens salvation to a costly rescue and urges Riley to respond to Jesus’ kindness, not just fear judgment. ___ 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 FAULT DIVORCE? HERE’S HOW SOCIETY IS DAMAGED WHEN WE GET DIVORCE WRONG Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1: • Methodist preacher goes viral for endorsing divorce in the name of “authentic self.” • This message twists God’s Word and moves the goalposts on covenant. • Jesus gave narrow reasons for divorce—yet culture demands limitless excuses. Segment 2: • The preacher doubles down—arguing against God’s design for marriage. • His message: don’t stay in marriages that “aren’t working.” • Marriage pictures Christ and His Church—God is not pleased with false preaching. Segment 3: • Thousands claimed “saved,” but the gospel wasn’t preached. • A watered-down message reflects seeker-sensitive culture. • The stakes are eternal—souls are lost when the full gospel is missing. Segment 4: • China unveils the first pregnancy humanoid—praised by many. • Pragmatic arguments ignore reality: robots aren’t image-bearers of God. • With AI poised to replace jobs, what happens to human purpose and economics? ___ 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 THIS EXTREMELY POPULAR PASTOR IS MIXING TRUTH AND ERROR FOR GEN Z Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1: • Jon Mark Comer is popular with Gen Z, pushing a me-focused worldview. • True Christianity demands battling all sin, not selectively tolerating some. • Sin’s deceitfulness exposes the emptiness of self-made systems. Segment 2: • Comer’s message mirrors Rob Bell-style mysticism and expressive individualism. • Gen Z craves depth but is being fed me-centric spirituality. • Comer’s eclectic mix of truth and error makes him appealing yet dangerous. Segment 3: • Christianity isn’t about making you “happy.” • The Spirit-driven life is about who you are, not self-improvement tricks. • Are you depending on inventions—or on the Holy Spirit—for daily living? Segment 4: • You are a Christian in the day-to-day as much as in the “spiritual.” • Living the Christian life isn’t about feelings-driven systems—it’s obedience. • Neglecting your daily walk isn’t harmless—it’s sin. ___ 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!

TOO FAR, OR NOT FAR ENOUGH? HOW TO KEEP YOUR EVANGELISM BALANCED Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Segment 1: • When should you end an evangelism conversation—too soon or not soon enough? • Has Vacation Bible School become just a big distraction? Segment 2: • Is it wrong to use verses out of context if the goal is encouragement? • What does “small-o orthodox” really mean—and why does it matter? Segment 3: • Should youth pastors entertain to be effective—or stand firm? • How do you survive college spiritually—without your mom? Segment 4: • Are you really making disciples—or just preaching at people? • Should I leave a church that uses the sinner’s prayer—even if the preaching is sound? ___ 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 THIS POPULAR PARENTING TACTIC HAS LED TO ABSOLUTE DISASTER FOR GEN Z Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Segment 1: • 77% of Gen Z brought a parent to a job interview—”lawnmower parenting” at its peak. • Parents are doing kids’ chores and even handling workplace disputes for them. • Kid-centered homes are crippling resilience and robbing work ethic. Segment 2: • Hard work is essential for fulfillment, but kids are being shielded from it. • Failure is a necessary teacher—Christian parents must resist overprotection. • True maturity comes from responsibility, not comfort. Segment 3: • “Neurodiversity” is being used as a catch-all term with political baggage. • No uniform criteria exist—definitions are fluid and agenda-driven. • Adopting secular therapeutic labels in the church risks compromising truth. Segment 4: • Venezuela hosts a massive “March for Jesus” rally. • A Baltimore judge gives no jail time for assault of elderly pro-life advocates. • 1 in 5 pastors have considered self-harm or suicide in the last year. ___ 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!

THIS STUDENT THINKS HE’S PURE ENOUGH FOR HEAVEN – WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD SAY? Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

It’s Witness Wednesday! In this episode of Wretched Radio, Todd Friel heads to the campus of Georgia Tech. While engaging in thought-provoking conversations with students, Todd explores deep theological questions about the existence of God, creation, morality, and salvation from sin. Segment 1 – Ryan • Ryan, an architecture student, believes in the Big Bang but is unsure how such design could happen without a designer. • Todd deepens the moral discussion, walking Ryan through the Ten Commandments. • He dismisses concern over judgment, saying he’ll “cross that bridge” when he sees God. Segment 2 – Junior • Junior, raised in a Christian home, isn’t sure what he believes and doesn’t identify as a true Christian. • Todd walks him through a gospel-centered conversation, exposing his sin and clarifying the Savior's role. • Junior remains unsure, valuing independent thinking but open to exploring more. Segment 3 – Dan • Dan, a Catholic student, believes everyone is "innately good" and that good works will outweigh sin. • He trusts in God's forgiveness but can't reconcile it with true justice. • Todd carefully explains the gospel, the insufficiency of works, and the righteousness available only through Christ. Segment 4 – Dan (continued) • Todd explains how the true gospel and the Roman Catholic church teach different things. • Lays out how we are totally unable to be righteous in and of ourselves. • Todd encourages Dan to repent of his own striving and trust in Christ alone for righteousness. ___ 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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