Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

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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Segment 1

• Why are evangelicals so divided over modern-day Israel? Todd Friel and Albert Mohler break down the debate.

• Tucker Carlson presses hard: Does Ted Cruz actually know what the Bible says about Israel—or are Christians misusing Genesis? • Is the promise in the Book of Genesis about the Jewish people… or today’s political nation of Israel?

Segment 2

• Are Christians biblically required to support modern Israel—or is that an oversimplification many believers repeat without thinking?

• A crucial distinction most Christians miss: biblical Israel vs. the modern nation-state founded in 1948.

• The deeper issue: if God made covenant promises to Israel, can those promises ever be cancelled—or transferred to the church?

Segment 3

• Carlson’s challenge: How do we even know who today’s Jewish people are after centuries of dispersion?

• Mohler responds with a surprising argument about anti-Semitism.

• A prophetic twist emerges—Scripture points toward a massive future turning of Jewish people to Christ.

Segment 4

• Does God’s land promise stretch from the Nile to the Euphrates—and should Israel control it today?

• Mohler explains the theological tension Christians already understand: the “already vs. not yet” of God’s promises.

• A warning for believers: casual hostility toward Israel may reveal a dangerous misunderstanding of God’s covenant faithfulness.

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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

• Does scripture give parents any guidance on what they should use as an instrument of discipline for their children? - Anonymous

• Last year, a woman came to our church and got saved. The pastor told her that, before she could be baptized or take communion, she needed to become a member of the church. Is this order of events correct, biblically speaking? - Joanie

Segment 2

• I am a mom to 4 kids, and my parents and one of my sisters are people who constantly enjoy stirring the pot. So much so, that they will lie and manipulate anything and anyone. How do I protect my kids as they are getting older? - Sara

• The hospital I work for has a female Chaplain that comes and talks to us once or twice a month. I don't feel comfortable with her "teaching" or leading. Am I being overly judgmental, or are my concerns biblical? - Ruth

• My family and I will soon have some new neighbors: two homosexual men with a toddler. Do you have any advice on how we can best witness to them? - Charlie

Segment 3

• The everyday discipline of opening my Bible and reading it has always been a struggle for me. I have tried everything: different translations, different Bibles, devotionals, reading plans, everything. Can you help? -Bill

• How is God telling His people in the OT to kill people of other nations, who aren't His people and haven't repented, different than “Allah” commanding similar things in the Quran? - James

Segment 4

• I am in my 20’s and desire to follow Christ. My parents have told me that if I leave them without their approval, I'm dishonoring them, dishonoring God, outside of God's will, sinning, and condemned. Is it a sin to leave? - Anonymous

• I know a brother in Christ who has completely abandoned the local church because he says that he’s frustrated with “pew-sitters” who come to church for an hour, don’t follow the Lord at any other time, and never grow in grace. How can I talk to him about his frustrations and encourage him to return to the church? -Anonymous

• I struggle to understand why unbelievers can be kind and generous in ways I would expect only believers to be. Could you explain this? - 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!