

Wretched Radio with Todd Friel
Fortis Institute
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 19, 2025 • 55min
NO FAULT DIVORCE? HERE’S HOW SOCIETY IS DAMAGED WHEN WE GET DIVORCE WRONG
Segment 1:
• Methodist preacher goes viral for endorsing divorce in the name of “authentic self.”
• This message twists God’s Word and moves the goalposts on covenant.
• Jesus gave narrow reasons for divorce—yet culture demands limitless excuses.
Segment 2:
• The preacher doubles down—arguing against God’s design for marriage.
• His message: don’t stay in marriages that “aren’t working.”
• Marriage pictures Christ and His Church—God is not pleased with false preaching.
Segment 3:
• Thousands claimed “saved,” but the gospel wasn’t preached.
• A watered-down message reflects seeker-sensitive culture.
• The stakes are eternal—souls are lost when the full gospel is missing.
Segment 4:
• China unveils the first pregnancy humanoid—praised by many.
• Pragmatic arguments ignore reality: robots aren’t image-bearers of God.
• With AI poised to replace jobs, what happens to human purpose and economics?
___
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!

Aug 18, 2025 • 55min
HOW THIS EXTREMELY POPULAR PASTOR IS MIXING TRUTH AND ERROR FOR GEN Z
Segment 1:
• Jon Mark Comer is popular with Gen Z, pushing a me-focused worldview.
• True Christianity demands battling all sin, not selectively tolerating some.
• Sin’s deceitfulness exposes the emptiness of self-made systems.
Segment 2:
• Comer’s message mirrors Rob Bell-style mysticism and expressive individualism.
• Gen Z craves depth but is being fed me-centric spirituality.
• Comer’s eclectic mix of truth and error makes him appealing yet dangerous.
Segment 3:
• Christianity isn’t about making you “happy.”
• The Spirit-driven life is about who you are, not self-improvement tricks.
• Are you depending on inventions—or on the Holy Spirit—for daily living?
Segment 4:
• You are a Christian in the day-to-day as much as in the “spiritual.”
• Living the Christian life isn’t about feelings-driven systems—it’s obedience.
• Neglecting your daily walk isn’t harmless—it’s sin.
___
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!

Aug 15, 2025 • 55min
TOO FAR, OR NOT FAR ENOUGH? HOW TO KEEP YOUR EVANGELISM BALANCED
It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!
Segment 1:
• When should you end an evangelism conversation—too soon or not soon enough?
• Has Vacation Bible School become just a big distraction?
Segment 2:
• Is it wrong to use verses out of context if the goal is encouragement?
• What does “small-o orthodox” really mean—and why does it matter?
Segment 3:
• Should youth pastors entertain to be effective—or stand firm?
• How do you survive college spiritually—without your mom?
Segment 4:
• Are you really making disciples—or just preaching at people?
• Should I leave a church that uses the sinner’s prayer—even if the preaching is sound?
___
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!

Aug 14, 2025 • 55min
WHY THIS POPULAR PARENTING TACTIC HAS LED TO ABSOLUTE DISASTER FOR GEN Z
Segment 1:
• 77% of Gen Z brought a parent to a job interview—”lawnmower parenting” at its peak.
• Parents are doing kids’ chores and even handling workplace disputes for them.
• Kid-centered homes are crippling resilience and robbing work ethic.
Segment 2:
• Hard work is essential for fulfillment, but kids are being shielded from it.
• Failure is a necessary teacher—Christian parents must resist overprotection.
• True maturity comes from responsibility, not comfort.
Segment 3:
• “Neurodiversity” is being used as a catch-all term with political baggage.
• No uniform criteria exist—definitions are fluid and agenda-driven.
• Adopting secular therapeutic labels in the church risks compromising truth.
Segment 4:
• Venezuela hosts a massive “March for Jesus” rally.
• A Baltimore judge gives no jail time for assault of elderly pro-life advocates.
• 1 in 5 pastors have considered self-harm or suicide in the last year.
___
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!

Aug 13, 2025 • 55min
THIS STUDENT THINKS HE’S PURE ENOUGH FOR HEAVEN – WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD SAY?
It’s Witness Wednesday! In this episode of Wretched Radio, Todd Friel heads to the campus of Georgia Tech. While engaging in thought-provoking conversations with students, Todd explores deep theological questions about the existence of God, creation, morality, and salvation from sin.
Segment 1 – Ryan
• Ryan, an architecture student, believes in the Big Bang but is unsure how such design could happen without a designer.
• Todd deepens the moral discussion, walking Ryan through the Ten Commandments.
• He dismisses concern over judgment, saying he’ll “cross that bridge” when he sees God.
Segment 2 – Junior
• Junior, raised in a Christian home, isn’t sure what he believes and doesn’t identify as a true Christian.
• Todd walks him through a gospel-centered conversation, exposing his sin and clarifying the Savior’s role.
• Junior remains unsure, valuing independent thinking but open to exploring more.
Segment 3 – Dan
• Dan, a Catholic student, believes everyone is “innately good” and that good works will outweigh sin.
• He trusts in God’s forgiveness but can’t reconcile it with true justice.
• Todd carefully explains the gospel, the insufficiency of works, and the righteousness available only through Christ.
Segment 4 – Dan (continued)
• Todd explains how the true gospel and the Roman Catholic church teach different things.
• Lays out how we are totally unable to be righteous in and of ourselves.
• Todd encourages Dan to repent of his own striving and trust in Christ alone for righteousness.
___
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!

Aug 12, 2025 • 55min
ANGRY AT SOMEONE WHO HURT YOU? HOW BIBLICAL COUNSELING CAN GIVE YOU PEACE
Segment 1
• On Transformed, a marriage suffers from husband’s hidden porn use.
• Dr. Lou Priolo exposes why we justify anger against those who’ve wronged us.
• A powerful example of how biblical counseling cuts to the heart.
Segment 2
• Forgiveness must be given when someone repents, but trust is rebuilt over time.
• Handing trust to the unfaithful too soon is foolish—and dangerous.
• Bitterness is a poisonous root that churches often fail to confront.
Segment 3
• With John MacArthur’s memorial coming soon, how will GCC honor him biblically?
• The delicate balance between honoring a life and glorifying Christ.
• What your funeral focus should say about your life’s purpose.
Segment 4
• Lighter moments from John MacArthur show his warmth and wit.
• Memorable clips capture his unique style.
• A final look at a pastor who shaped countless lives for 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!

Aug 11, 2025 • 55min
HONORING DR. WAYNE MACK: USED BY GOD TO COUNSEL OTHERS FROM SCRIPTURE
Justin Peters, a dedicated preacher, pays tribute to Dr. Wayne Mack, a pioneer in biblical counseling who left an indelible mark through his teachings. They discuss the importance of clear gospel presentations, warning against incomplete messages that might mislead potential believers. Peters emphasizes that true repentance is a divine gift, while pastoral roles remain irreplaceable despite the rise of AI. The conversation also highlights the necessity of strong gospel preaching to ensure that individuals fully comprehend sin and salvation.

Aug 8, 2025 • 55min
WANT TO GET MARRIED, BUT STILL SINGLE? HERE’S WHAT GOD COULD BE DOING
It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!
Segment 1:
• Is it okay for Christian couples to show affection in public?
• How do I trust God with heartbreak and my desire for marriage?
Segment 2:
• Should old-earth believers serve as elders or deacons?
• Is it wrong to prefer reading the New Testament over the Old Testament?
Segment 3:
• Should churches follow a liturgy in their worship services?
Segment 4:
• How can lay preachers get better at preaching in small churches?
• Why do i still feel angry over sins God already forgave?
___
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!

Aug 7, 2025 • 55min
CHURCH CONCERT SPARKS OUTRAGE – AND IT’S A SYMPTOM OF SOMETHING DEEPER
Segment 1:
• A historic church rents its space for a secular concert—sparking outrage from the Bishop of Fulham.
• Todd raises a key question: What happens when churches become concert venues instead of houses of worship?
• Calls out “fun-gelical” trends that turn reverence into entertainment—and why this drives deconstruction.
Segment 2:
• Carl Trueman pens a blistering open letter to the Church of England amid doctrinal collapse.
• Divorce is ravaging Christian families—are churches equipped to respond biblically?
• Spurgeon’s college in England shuts its doors—a symbolic loss in the spiritual battle.
Segment 3:
• The “Wide World of Christian Stories” includes: Hindu idol installations, Chuck E. Cheese for adults, and “Spawnism.”
• Cultural confusion and spiritual idolatry are rising in the West—and it’s not subtle anymore.
• Todd jokes about plantar fasciitis, but gets serious about where modern worship is headed.
Segment 4:
• Eugenics is back—disguised in polite modern language.
• A British teacher defends child sacrifice; 1 in 3 pregnancies in Great Britain ends in abortion.
• Christians remain the world’s most persecuted group—yet many churches remain silent.
___
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!

Aug 6, 2025 • 55min
POSTMODERN STUDENTS REVEAL ONE BIG REASON THEY’RE WRONG ON JESUS!
It’s Witness Wednesday!
In this episode of Wretched Radio, Todd Friel engages in a series of dialogues with students on campus in Gainesville, GA. Friel challenges their theological stances, encouraging them to contemplate their paths to heaven, sin, and the core tenets of Christianity.
Segment 1:
• Seventh-Day Adventist believes salvation is through commandments and Sabbath; admits breaking them.
• Todd shows law reveals guilt; salvation is by grace in Christ alone.
• Urged to repent and trust Jesus’ finished work, not his own.
Segment 2:
• Sikh student believes in reincarnation and good works; admits moral failures.
• Todd explains all die once, face judgment, and fall short.
• Presents gospel: Jesus took punishment, offering forgiveness to all who repent.
Segment 3:
• United Methodist student is polite, but unsure of gospel, no assurance of salvation.
• Todd explains sin, judgment, and Christ’s atonement as only hope.
• Challenged to examine if he’s truly trusted Christ.
Segment 4:
• Two postmodern students believe all paths lead to happiness; reject absolute truth.
• Todd shows opposing beliefs can’t both be true; Jesus’ claim is exclusive.
• Gospel offered as God’s kindness: turn to Christ who died for sinners.
___
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!