Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

SEGMENT 1

• Our church is currently without any qualified men to lead worship. Is it sinful for a woman to step into the role of worship leader? - Austin

SEGMENT 2

• When Jesus taught in parables, was he teaching allegorically? - Chuck

• Would you recommend Tim Challies’ book “Season of Sorrow” to a family who is grieving a loss but are not believers? - Matt

• Paul makes clear in Romans that everyone, deep down, has knowledge that God exists. When there are, for example, unreached Amazonian tribes that worship a sun-god, will they be punished for worshiping the wrong god, although they acknowledge that a god exists? - Steven

SEGMENT 3

• Are Christians obligated to stay in, or return to, a marriage where physical abuse has occurred? - Anonymous

SEGMENT 4

• The pastor of a church we are interested in joining doesn’t seem very interested in evangelism or growing the church body. What should we do? - Michael

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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

• Global elites at Davos warn that “by-the-book” religions could be eliminated by AI.

• Let’s get real: AI can process data, but it can’t be human.

• We can KNOW that AI, machines, and robots can never possess the mind of Christ that believers do.

Segment 2

• AI will replace some roles—but not every vocation or calling will be effected.

• The real question young people must answer: where am I replaceable?

• If we don’t define categories and terms, technology will define them for us.

Segment 3

• Todd reads an intro and entire segment written by AI.

• If pastors use AI to write sermons, biblical shepherding turns into play-acting.

• The real cost isn’t just efficiency—it’s warmth, care, and actual, human, pastoral presence.

Segment 4

• AI has real limits—and real potential for human harm, especially in work and ministry.

• A chatbot can’t read a room, feel tension, respond in love, or function along lines of emotion.

• Final gut check: do you really want a relationship with a computer?

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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! Questions of deep theology and practical application are addressed in a must-hear question and answer segment during Todd’s recent trip to Oklahoma State University. If you want to see the Christian worldview brought to bear in real-time on real-world questions, you’ve come to the right place.

Segment 1

• Bishop Tom Brown questions the trend of evangelical deconstruction, and asks if there can be a positive element to it.

• Todd explains that most who deconstruct are not interested in putting the pieces back together again.

• A young man in the audience asks how we can feel RIGHTLY - how we can balance our emotions without denying them totally.

Segment 2

• Laney asks Todd how we can reach the portion of society that isn’t interested in actually finding the truth - and may not think it exists at all.

• A young man asks how husbands should rightly lead their families in the era of post-modernity and radical subjectivity that we live in.

• Ben asks how to reach the agnostics in society who don’t care what Christianity has to say.

Segment 3

• Student Brennan asks about the weighty question of God’s sovereignty and goodness when considered against the pain and suffering that is allowed in this world.

• Todd goes in depth showing how the existence of evil in this world, far from disproving God, actually necessitates God’s existence.

• Alec asks: how can we dispel the notion in the minds of unbelievers that Christianity is just a bunch of stuff we have to do to get on the “nice list”?

Segment 4

• Todd continues his answer to the last question, showing how Christianity is not burdensome but, rather, the most liberating thing for God’s creatures.

• Todd is asked a heavy philosophical question about the metaphysical presuppositions of the ancient world, and how Christ shows us truth in every area - even philosophy.

• As helpful as apologetics can be in certain circumstances, Todd shows us the primacy of Christ and sharing the gospel in attempting to win souls - not arguments.

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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

• 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.

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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

• 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.

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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!