Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!

Segment 1

• If I could convince an atheist to read the Bible, which book of the Bible should I recommend that they read first? - Anonymous

• I am a young man who desires to enter vocational ministry. However, I struggle with same sex attraction. Is same sex attraction in itself disqualifying from ministry? Is same sex attraction inherently sinful? - Anonymous

Segment 2

• This morning, my 7-year-old asked me when he could be baptized. My concern is that he is too young and may not fully understand what it fully means. What should I do? - Dan

• I hear people use God's name in vain fairly often. What should I say to someone misusing His name? Should I say anything at all? - Jonathan

• What are your thoughts on emergency response and law enforcement jobs, which don't always allow you to be in church on Sunday morning? - Pete

Segment 3

• Jesus said that in Matthew 22 that in Heaven we won't be married nor be given in marriage. I've always heard that the first instance of marriage we see is Adam and Eve in Genesis 2, prior to the fall. Why do you think it is that we are introduced to marriage in the garden, where everything is perfect, but denied it in Heaven? - Dylan

• Is the doctrine of eternal security essential to understanding the gospel? - Josiah

• What would you suggest a rural, non-seminarian to do as a next step in learning biblical Greek after watching “It's Not Greek To Me”? - Wade

Segment 4

• My friend does not believe in penal substitutionary atonement and the wrath of God on Jesus at the cross, but rather thinks that Jesus willingly gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. She believes it would be cosmic child abuse from God otherwise. Can one go to heaven if they reject these biblical truths? - Theresa

• Recently, I've been seeing wild conspiracy theories pop up very frequently. How should Christians respond to these ideas? Should we sincerely look into them for the truth, or ignore them completely? - Wyatt

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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

• So-called “experts” confidently predict global catastrophe—and keep getting it wrong.

• A generation was told not to have kids… now some are realizing the cost decades later.

• Bad worldview → bad policy → real-life consequences… rinse and repeat.

Segment 2

• A shocking crime raises the question: what happens when everyone does “what’s right in their own eyes”?

• The way that God could be using our societal chaos might surprise you.

• The book of Judges isn’t ancient history, but a warning.

Segment 3 – “Compassion” Policies That Backfire

• Can promoting harmful behavior actually be framed as “public health”?

• Our society often prioritizes “acceptance” over actual well-being.

• There are consequences when a society decides to reward identity over truth.

Segment 4

• What if the “mental health solution” being promoted is making things significantly worse?

• Why are rising mental health issues being ignored when policies claim to fix them?

• The data again and again disproves the narrative, and yet the narrative continues.

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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! Join Todd on campus at Georgia Tech in Atlanta for several real-life, on-the-street witnessing encounters. What does our conscience tell us about God? Do we reject God because that’s where the science leads, or because of something deeper? When we realize we are sinners, is there any hope? All of these questions and more are explored - and Christ is exalted on today’s Witness Wednesday.

Segment 1

• Eduardo says he’s a “good person”… but does he actually measure up when tested against God’s standard?

• What happens when “I’m not that bad” collides with lust, lies, and a guilty conscience?

• If someone paid your debt before God… would you accept it—or reject it?

Segment 2

• Eduardo admits he’d rather “be himself” and face hell.

• The turning point: can justice and mercy both be satisfied without compromising either?

• Todd presses the urgency—what if everything you’re chasing is worthless if your soul is lost?

Segment 3

• Joey admits design requires a designer, but rejects the logic when applied to God and creation.

• People say they reject God for scientific reasons, but the real reasons might be much closer to home.

• When your conscience gets exposed—liar, thief, lustful—do you face it or deflect it?

Segment 4

• Joey resists “innocent or guilty”—but can you really escape that question before a just Judge?

• Another student admits he’s not a good person… so what hope does that leave him?

• Why did God create the world—and how does that answer change everything about your future?

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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

• 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.

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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

• 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?

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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!