Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

Segment 1

• A viral near-death story claims 18 days in heaven…

• If someone “comes back” with a message, is it new revelation—or a subtle attack on biblical authority?

• The real question is why so many are drawn to these stories of heavenly tourism.

Segment 2

• The key difference between biblical visions (Isaiah, Paul, John) and modern “heaven tourism” claims

• If it’s already in the Bible, why do we need the story? If it’s new… what does that imply?

• A closer look at emotional, poetic testimonies that sound spiritual—but raise serious theological red flags

Segment 3

• The shocking true story of a bestselling “trip to heaven” that was later admitted to be fabricated

• Why these books keep selling—even after being exposed—and what that says about the audience

• The deeper issue: is this curiosity… or dissatisfaction with what God has already revealed?

Segment 4

• How the same appetite for “more than Scripture” leads to serious spiritual foolishness

• A pastor uses Scripture to justify buying a private jet—does that argument actually hold up?

• Why people keep buying in—and the sobering claim: this may not just be error… but a serious lack of spiritual fruit

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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

• Received an email from James, who asked the question last week concerning the difference in the Quran and the Old Testament, where God directs His people to kill those of other nations. He says he accepts your answer as a Christian, but how would you respond to an unbeliever asking the same question—someone who doesn’t believe the God of the Bible is real? — James

• I’m 42 and own a pretty successful business. My wife is in real estate, and we’ve been married for over 20 years with two kids. Her income is significantly higher than mine. Am I living in sin, as the head of the household, for not being the main financial supporter? — Anonymous

• My name is Mike, and I’m 10 years old. I want to do magic tricks—would that be considered sorcery or lying? — Mike

• As Christians, we should be angry at sin. Should we ever be angry at sinners? — Jonathan

Segment 2

• My mom is grieving my siblings’ resentment toward her. They were raised in a Bible-teaching home but now show little fruit. How can I best encourage her in her hurt? — Anonymous

• I know God should be my source of rest, but how do I actually live that out day to day? What does it look like to rest in Him? — Hope

Segment 3

• I feel constantly busy—ministry, work, relationships, planning ahead. How do I slow down, rest, and not just default to distractions like my phone? — Hope

Segment 4

• I am from India. Can a Christian have health or term insurance, or does that show a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty? — Athul

• My boss keeps calling a work report “our bible,” and it bothers me. What’s the best way to respond? — Anonymous

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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!

Today on Wretched Radio, we listen in to a recent breakout session from the Shepherds Conference, where Phil Johnson addresses the growing push to redefine hell. Annihilationism may sound more reasonable—even more compassionate—but does it actually align with Scripture? As Phil works through the issue, it becomes clear this isn’t just about hell—it touches sin, justice, and the gospel itself.

Segment 1

• Phil Johnson explains why the fight over hell is really a fight over biblical authority.

• A “nicer” version of hell is gaining traction—and it sounds appealing for a reason.

• The question starts to surface: if this changes, what else starts to unravel?

Segment 2

• Phil warns how social media is shaping what Christians—even you—believe about God.

• “Crowdsourcing your doctrine” sounds harmless… until it leads somewhere dangerous.

• A real example of how one influential voice triggered widespread theological confusion.

Segment 3

• The emotional objection rises: “this doesn’t feel just”.

• The discussion turns to justice—who defines it, and by what standard?

• A familiar pattern emerges when hard doctrines start getting softened

Segment 4

• The focus shifts to what’s at stake when hell is minimized.

• One doctrinal change starts affecting everything—Scripture, justice, even the cross.

• The question lingers: if punishment isn’t eternal… what exactly are you being saved from?

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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 hits the streets of downtown Atlanta and talks with a Hare Krishna who believes all religions lead to God—and a college student who isn’t sure what to believe. Different views, same issue. What sounds reasonable at first starts to fall apart when the questions get harder.

Segment 1

• Meet Tim, a Hare Krishna devotee who says every religion works—including Christianity

• Todd presses the obvious problem: if they contradict each other, how can they all be true?

• The conversation turns to God—who He is… or if that idea even holds together.

Segment 2

• Tim speaks highly of Jesus—but only as one option among many.

• Todd brings up Jesus’ own words, and the tension gets unavoidable.

• The discussion centers on whether you can accept Jesus without actually believing what He said.

Segment 3

• Meet Hannah, a college student who’s “on the fence” but has plenty of objections.

• Science, bad Christians, and church history all come up—but none of them settle the issue.

• The conversation shifts from ideas to something more personal.

Segment 4

• Hannah says she’s a good person—until that claim gets tested.

• A few simple questions bring up lying, stealing, and guilt.

• If we’re truly guilty before God, what’s the solution?

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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!

Segment 1

• Do you challenge someone’s salvation at the end of life?

• Paul Washer presses John MacArthur with a soul-check instead of comfort—was it bold faithfulness or unnecessary tension?

• You’ll be in that room someday—make sure you’re ready to minister when eternity is hours away.

Segment 2

• Emotional viral clips expose what actually matters—legacy, family, and relationships—not the life you’re chasing.

• Culture sells nonstop self-focus, but the real “big wins” are quiet, relational, and deeply eternal.

• A direct challenge: are you investing in moments that will matter on your deathbed—or just staying busy?

Segment 3

• A listener wrestles with guilt: are hobbies like chess or cooking a spiritual distraction—or can they glorify God?

• The dangerous lie: “If I’m not thinking about God constantly, I’m failing spiritually.”

• The freeing framework: how to connect your faith to everything without turning life into forced religious activity.

Segment 4

• Canada’s euthanasia surge exposes how language (“medical assistance”) masks moral collapse.

• A seminary invites a radical speaker supporting violence.

• From politics to podcasts (including Joe Rogan), one question emerges: can simple behavior change the world… without true conversion?

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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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