Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Segment 1 • What is the difference between being “nitpicky” and being a Berean? Is pointing out things like out-of-context passages or the misuse of scripture to support a questionable point considered discernment, or is it just nitpicking? • Should Christians desire that no man may perish? Shouldn’t we consistently be praying for people? • Are there any resources regarding a biblical perspective to holistic/natural medicine? Where is the line drawn between being a good steward of your body and dabbling in new age practices? Segment 2 • Has there been a rise in in people converting to Catholicism? Segment 3 • MATCHING GIFT: every dollar you give will be matched dollar for dollar. • How should you respond when feeling bitter towards another Christian? How can you check your own heart? Segment 4 • Should Christians read or watch Harry Potter? How should you respond when your pastors or elders do? Is it a difference of theological position or is there indwelling sin? • Do humans carry “energy” or “vibes”? Is it biblical to believe in ‘good energy’ or ‘bad energy’? ___ 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 • Holiday Blues: Depression spikes this time of year, but there’s a path to joy. • Paul Tautges’ 7 Disciplines: Respect, Repent, Replace—simple steps to navigate emotional struggles. • What’s in it for You: Take control of your mindset and experience peace during a tough season. Segment 2 • FORTIS MATCHING GIFT: Every dollar you give will be matched dollar for dollar. • True Christmas Joy: Serving others brings deeper satisfaction than chasing fleeting holiday fun. • 7 Disciplines (Continued): Remain, Remember, Review, Rest—practical ways to work through depression. • Prayer Stumbling Blocks: Unanswered prayers? Examine your heart—are you asking with wrong motives or giving up too soon? Segment 3 • Unusual Relics: The Museum of the Bible highlights Catholic relics, including the skull of Thomas Aquinas. • Faith Alone: Let’s remember the gospel message—grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone. • Surprising Voices: Russell Brand is leaning into spiritual conversations. Could this spark deeper reflection for us? Segment 4 • Cultural Christmas: Richard Dawkins and Jerry Lewis both highlight the need to reframe our view of the holidays. • Who Is Jesus? Explore how Scripture describes Jesus—as the Logos and ruler over all creation. ___ 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 Friel is at Georgia Tech to talk with students about beliefs, morality, and the essence of Christianity. Segment 1: • Programs vs. People: A computational media student agrees programs need a designer but struggles to apply the same logic to humanity. • Creation Speaks: Evidence of intelligent design is everywhere, yet disbelief often stems from a desire to escape accountability. • Why It Matters: Discover purpose and meaning in a world that’s not random but intentionally designed. Segment 2: • Self-Examination: Eduardo believes he’s “good enough” for heaven, but admits to lying, lusting, and anger—breaking God’s laws. • The Gospel Presented: Jesus paid the penalty for sin, offering forgiveness to those who repent and trust in Him. • A Life-Changing Choice: Embrace certainty and peace in knowing your eternal destination. Segment 3: • Moral Gray Areas?: Joey rejects absolute justice, believing morality is subjective, but wrestles with guilt over lying, stealing, and lust. • Confronting the Conscience: Despite his resistance, Joey’s demeanor shows unease, illustrating that the conscience aligns with God’s standards. • Find Freedom: Escape the weight of guilt through the transformative power of the gospel. Segment 4: • Why Did God Create?: God’s relational attributes like mercy and grace require expression, which He demonstrated by saving sinners through Jesus. • No One Is Good: The student admits to breaking God’s laws, realizing no one is righteous apart from Christ. • A New Perspective: Experience a relationship with God based on grace, not religious effort. ___ 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: • Three Words to Remember: Ask yourself, “What’s your goal?” for Christmas—and it changes everything. • Look Outward: The holidays aren’t just about fun for you; they’re about representing Jesus. • Impact Others: Helping your church community or unsaved relatives find joy in Christ makes Christmas meaningful. Segment 2: • Intentional Parenting: When dealing with your child’s sin, focus on their heart, not just their behavior. • Long-Term Vision: Aiming for godly character shifts how you parent and discipline. • Church Discipline: It only makes sense in the context of a healthy, local church. Segment 3: • Avoid Unnecessary Drama: Proverbs repeatedly warns against needless conflict—especially in church. • Holiday Judgments: Don’t measure spirituality by how people celebrate Christmas. Focus on unity. • What’s Your Neighbor Goal? Aim to show Christ to those around you instead of winning petty arguments. Segment 4: • The Plus One Method: Attend Sunday service, then get involved in one more ministry to grow deeper in faith. • Church as a Priority: A healthy local church impacts you—and the nation. Serve and watch your life transform. • Partnership Opportunity: Supporting ministries like Fortis helps spread the gospel and strengthen churches everywhere. ___ 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 Gospel Debate: Gospel-centered language risks becoming self-centered when Jesus isn’t the focus. • Faith in Jesus, Not in Faith: Everyone has faith—the problem is where it’s directed. • Beware of Naval Gazing: Looking inward at your faith distracts from the transformative power of Jesus. Segment 2: • From Mourning to Celebration: Cultural shifts in funerals reflect a discomfort with grieving deeply. • Burials Speak Louder: Cremation and “celebrations of life” miss the rich theology of Christian mourning. • Teen Church Concerns: It falls short in teaching the whole counsel of God and administering sacraments. Segment 3: • Judging Rightly: Discernment is under-taught but essential for Christians navigating truth in a deceptive world. • Speaking to Power: The Church’s role includes calling the government to repentance and justice. • Justice and Deterrence: Biblical principles uphold the death penalty as both righteous and preventative. Segment 4: • Choose Wisely: Friendships should inspire growth and holiness, not pull us down. • Psychotropic Medications: Increasing cases of numbness and violent behavior point to troubling patterns. • A Tragic Story: The tragic consequences of medication misuse call for greater transparency and accountability. ___ 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 • Should the gospel be simplified for kids? Is it ever too early to mention hell? • Should you serve in a church before becoming a member? Is it a red flag if they allow it? Segment 2 • Church governance: Elder-led, congregationally-directed, or hybrid—which is biblical? • Can Christians say “Namaste” or use greetings from other faiths without dishonoring God? • Should Christians support the building of the Third Temple? What’s the biblical stance? Segment 3 • Spousal disagreement: Can a marriage thrive if you don’t agree on women pastors? • If denying Christ could save a life, what should you do? A moral dilemma under pressure. • Is witnessing to atheists online worth it—or just a waste of time? Segment 4 • Do married couples need to study Scripture together—or is solo study still essential? • If marriage seems impossible, how do you let go of the desire to be married? • Should conservatives try to reform liberal churches—or is it better to walk away? • Is free speech on the brink of extinction? Are open-air conversations the last refuge? ___ 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: • Test Yourself: 14 subtle signs of legalism that may be lurking in your life. • Key Traits: Praising outward deeds, seeking man’s approval, and turning the Bible into a checklist. • Parenting Danger: How legalism creeps into how you raise your kids. Segment 2: • Blame Schleiermacher: The father of liberal theology reshaped religion into “feelings over truth.” • Doctrines from Emotions: “Sin is external” and truth becomes relative. • Why It Matters: Carl Trueman’s insights reveal how this philosophy fuels today’s cultural confusion. Segment 3: • A Harsh Lesson: A father’s shocking cruelty hides a deeper love. • Waiting and Grieving: How the story of Lazarus reframes waiting as an act of divine love. • Faith Check: Do you question God as a friend or accuse Him as an enemy? Segment 4: • God’s Timing: Jesus delayed Lazarus’ healing to showcase His ultimate power over death. • Hard Love: Love can look harsh, but it’s often a shield from unseen dangers. • The Takeaway: Trust that your losses aren’t permanent. His love and timing are always perfect. ___ 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 Friel takes listeners to Georgia Tech and talks with students about faith, creation, and morality. Segment 1: • Design vs. Chance: Exploring whether the intricate design of the universe points to a Creator or random chance. • Big Bang or Big Design?: Challenging the belief that the universe “just happened” by comparing it to a building needing an architect. • What’s in it for Me?: A reason to see life as intentional and purposeful, not accidental. Segment 2: • Faith in Science or Creator?: A biomedical engineering student claims belief in science, yet can’t explain the origin of matter or order in the universe. • Moral Law and Conscience: Confronting guilt through the lens of the Ten Commandments, exposing human imperfection. • What’s in it for Me?: A deeper understanding of our flawed nature and the need for redemption. Segment 3: • Cultural Christianity: A young man raised in a Christian home admits he’s “still searching,” unsure about committing to faith. • Gospel Clarity: The Bible’s message isn’t about being good—it’s about Jesus’ work to save sinners. • What’s in it for Me?: Assurance of forgiveness and peace through faith, not striving. Segment 4: • Eternal Stakes: A Catholic student discusses salvation and the ultimate hope of heaven but struggles to articulate the core message. • Goodness Redefined: Breaking down human misconceptions of goodness, highlighting the need for God’s grace. • What’s in it for Me?: Eternal security and clarity on what truly saves—faith in Jesus, not works. ___ 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: • Cultural Sloth: Society makes it easy to avoid hard work—how are we contributing? • Parenting Alert: Could your child’s laziness stem from never having to work for what they need? • Faith and Work: “If anyone doesn’t provide for their family, they’ve denied the faith.” Segment 2: • Before the ‘I Do’: Premarital intimacy and unresolved baggage wreck marriages before they begin. • Happiness Isn’t the Goal: Brad Bigney asks, “What if marriage is meant to make us holy, not happy?” • Challenge for GenZ: Avoid the “it must make me happy” mindset—study wisdom from older generations. Segment 3: • Love the Lord First: Dating isn’t about finding “the one”; it’s about deepening your love for God. • Jesus’ Example: From Philippians 2 to Matthew 18, Jesus shows how to live humbly and forgive others. • Forgiving Your Spouse: How Jesus’ teachings guide the hardest conversations in marriage. Segment 4: • Third Wave Warnings: A new danger looms for biblical counseling—are we equipping all believers for ministry? • Consumerism Alert: Christmas shouldn’t be about deals or distractions—how much time are we soaking in the Savior? • Priesthood of Believers: Biblical counseling is for everyone, not just professionals. Let’s reclaim this calling. ___ 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: • Rewriting History: Can you imagine Western civilization without men—or Christianity? That’s the agenda. • Texas Takes a Stand: New curriculum introduces the Bible as history, not theology. • Cultural Shift: Some fear this inclusion while others push to erase Jesus from the narrative. Segment 2: • No Theology, Just Facts: Texas’ curriculum focuses on Christianity’s historical role, not faith-building. • Outrage Without Cause: Why teaching biblical history shouldn’t bother anyone—it’s part of the world’s story. • Perspective Check: There are 4,000 mosques in America but almost no outcry over their historical impact. Segment 3: • Religious Discrimination: Bernie Sanders targets Russell Vought for his Christian beliefs during a hearing. • A Double Standard: In America, discrimination is taboo—unless you’re Christian. • Grace Under Fire: Vought’s composure shows the strength of holding firm in faith. Segment 4: • Unity with Limits: Perfect unity is impossible, but separation from false teachers is essential. • Judgment Is Necessary: Believers are called to discern truth from falsehood for the sake of the gospel. • SBC Debate: Texas Baptists decline to affirm BFM 2000, reflecting deeper divides within the church. ___ 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!