IS DRINKING ALCOHOL ALWAYS SINFUL? HOW TO THINK ABOUT CHRISTIAN LIBERTY RIGHTLY
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?
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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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DO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT’S WORTH DIVIDING OVER?
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.
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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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WHY “GOOD PEOPLE GO TO HEAVEN” IS THE MOST SPIRITUALLY DANGEROUS LIE
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.
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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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FINISHING WELL: WHY THE WAY YOU END YOUR JOURNEY MATTERS
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.
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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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54:59
MACARTHUR’S MEMORIAL SERVICE REVEALED THIS IMPORTANT TRUTH ABOUT UNITY IN CHRIST
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!
Wretched Radio is hosted by Todd Friel. On the show, you will hear live witnessing encounters, discussions of tough theological issues, and various topics in the Christian community. You might even have a laugh.
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