Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Segment 1 • When is it time to stop spanking your children—and what works after that? • If I avoid someone who’s hurt me, does that mean I haven’t truly forgiven them? • How should a minister handle being disowned by their child for refusing to perform a same-sex wedding? Segment 2 • Is birth control okay for Christians—and what about permanent options? • Does the pastor’s wife deserve the title “First Lady” of the church? • How can I overcome fear and laziness to share the gospel boldly? Segment 3 • Is it biblical for a man to attend a Bible study led by a woman? • If apostles must see the resurrected Christ, why is Paul considered an apostle? • How can I lovingly guide family away from a church with false teaching? • Should Christians use the word “toxic,” or is it too worldly? • What’s the best way to share the gospel at work when your boss forbids it? Segment 4 • Are church signs like “Life without Jesus is cray cray” effective—or cringy? • Can clever signs like “God is our wireless provider” spark real conversations? • What’s the balance between humor and reverence in church messaging? ___ 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: • Biblical Examples: Even Jacob, Samson, and David faced in-law drama—what can we learn? • Marriage First: The Bible teaches a deeper bond in marriage than between parent and child—don’t interfere. • Key Principles: “Leaving father and mother” means prioritizing your spouse while honoring parents. Segment 2: • What to Leave Behind: Overreliance on parents’ approval, exclusive confidence, and family traditions. • What to Put On: Treating your mate as the most significant human, honoring their parents equally, and protecting your spouse from criticism. • Unified Action: Couples must create a strategy for managing in-law dynamics together. Segment 3: • Healthy Parenting: Raise children to prepare them for independence—allow respectful disagreements and decision-making. • New Roles: Treat your child’s mate as your own and adopt a peer-like relationship with your adult children. • Protect Their Marriage: Respect privacy, avoid interfering, and influence through example and soft speech. Segment 4: • Wisdom from Parents: Writing a heartfelt letter to your child before marriage can set the tone for their new life. • Family Origins Study: Examine both families’ backgrounds—rules, views, customs, and secrets—to prevent future conflicts. • Final Takeaway: Get these issues worked out before walking down the aisle. It’s worth the 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!

It’s Witness Wednesday! Todd Friel is on campus to talk with students about the sanctity of life, faith in action, and absolute Truth. Segment 1: • Exploring the intrinsic value of life: is a fetus a human with rights or not? • The analogy of uncertainty: Why take a shot if you don’t know what’s behind the target? Segment 2: • The drowning pool scenario: Saving a dog vs. saving a stranger—what drives your choice? • The debate on human value: Is worth tied to contribution, or is all life inherently valuable? Segment 3: • The knife-in-the-back analogy: Can you articulate the gospel to someone facing death? • Common struggles in sharing faith: Clarity in explaining repentance, grace, and salvation. Segment 4: • Graduate students’ takes on morality: Is it absolute or subjective? • Postmodern spirituality: Building gods and truths to suit personal preferences. ___ 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: • Parents Matter: Kids with involved, sacrificial parents turn out happier and healthier. • Social Media’s Damage: Liberal girls lead the depression epidemic, spending 56+ hours/week online. • Dads Step Up: Fathers who discipline and engage at home raise more content, grounded children. Segment 2: • “Get Off Your Phone”: Excessive screen time, especially for teens, correlates with higher depression rates. • Feelings vs. Reality: Gen Z is taught that feelings drive truth, creating a fragile worldview. • Parental Role: Replace damaging messages with biblical truth and model healthier habits. Segment 3: • Unintentional Leadership: Fathers influence their homes, even when unaware of it. • Modeling Matters: How dads treat their wives and interact with their kids teaches lasting lessons. • Encouragement Over Criticism: Make sure your children know you’re proud of them; they’re watching closely. Segment 4: • Jesus as a Child: The Bible provides only a glimpse into His early years in Luke 2. • Why So Little?: Speculations like “The Infancy Gospel of Thomas” show why the canon was carefully curated. • A Divine Perspective: Imagine living with full knowledge of your future suffering—how would it shape your life? ___ 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: • Holiness Isn’t Passive: Sanctification isn’t just about stopping sin—it’s about starting new habits. • Ephesians 4:22: Put off sin, but don’t stop there; put on holiness to become whole. • Practical Steps: If you’re not spiritually strong, consume more of Christ by reading Scripture, worshiping, and focusing on Jesus. Segment 2: • New Math for Holiness: Ephesians 4:22-24 teaches a process: put off sin, put on righteousness. • Greg Gifford’s Insight: True sanctification requires replacing sinful habits with godly actions. Segment 3: • The Scope of Anger: Anger affects 90% of counseling cases and damages relationships at home and work. • What Fuels Anger: Anger often stems from a “busted sense of judgment” and justifications for sinful reactions. • No Excuses: You can’t blame your circumstances—anger reveals what’s already in your heart. Segment 4: • Anger vs. Righteousness: Righteous anger focuses on God and His Kingdom, not personal preferences. • Root of Sinful Anger: Identify the idols fueling your anger by asking, “What do I want so much?” • God’s Answer: Replace anger’s idolatry with the peace of Jesus, who transforms hearts and homes. ___ 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 • Is a ping-pong table in church irreverent—or just Christian liberty at play? • Hands in the air from the first note—genuine worship or trendy habit? Segment 2 • Bulletproof pulpits: Is protecting pastors practical or a distraction from faith? Segment 3 • Christian dating 101: How does a young man biblically ask a young lady out? Segment 4 • How do you engage unbelievers who only spew ungodly talk? • Should missionaries fundraise for support—or work to pay their own way? ___ 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: • For Insight, Not Ammo: Use these signs to pray for and support leaders, not attack them. • Top Risks for Leaders: Pride, burnout, and hyper-control threaten the health of your church. • The Takeaway: Leaders must feed their own souls first to effectively shepherd others. Segment 2: • Encourage Your Pastor: Faithful service and commitment to the local church uplift leaders and the body. • Practical Ministry: Arrive early, sing loudly, and pray through your membership directory—it matters. • Consistency Counts: Stay faithful through challenges and avoid hopping churches in difficult times. Segment 3: • True Shocks: In Utah, people are hired as Jesus models; 1 in 4 parents are estranged from an adult child. • Cultural Dissonance: A pastor in England disciplined for saying Santa isn’t real reveals the tension in Christian witness. • What It Means for You: How can we engage with a culture increasingly disconnected from biblical truth? Segment 4: • Sobering Truths: 1 in 20 deaths in Canada is due to assisted suicide; abortions are down by 13,000. • Encouragement: Faithfulness to gospel ministry over 25 years continues to make an impact. • Your Role: Support your church and ministries as we navigate these challenging times. ___ 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 in Minneapolis to talk about faith, sin, and salvation. Segment 1: • Refuting the existence of purgatory; emphasizing immediate transition into eternity after death. • Todd encourages critical thinking about the state of the soul and preparation for judgment. Segment 2: • A young man dismisses the afterlife as a “fairy tale,” despite acknowledging guilt in breaking moral laws. • Todd shares an analogy of valuing physical eyesight versus our eternal soul highlighting misplaced priorities. Segment 3: • Lindsey believes in being good and that forgiveness will secure her place in heaven, but struggles with articulating her faith. • Todd’s conversation with Lindsey challenges her casual approach to God, emphasizing repentance and trust in Christ. Segment 4: • Garrett, a young man with visible tattoos, surprises with a clear confession of faith and understanding of sin and grace. • Emphasis is put on the importance of salvation being about escaping judgment, not improving life circumstances. ___ 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: • Break the Cycle: Not praying together, fighting dirty, and shutting down communication will tear a marriage apart. • Prioritize Connection: Make your spouse your chief confider, not your friends or family. • What to Avoid: Bringing up the past, prioritizing being “right,” and putting conditions on love/respect can wreck intimacy. Segment 2: • Quick Forgiveness: No one sins against you more than your spouse, but as a Christian, you’ve been forgiven a mountain—extend that grace. • Watch Your Words: Speak positively about your spouse to others—disparaging them diminishes both of you. • Reality Check: Your family knows you’re a sinner—humility and forgiveness are the lifeblood of a healthy marriage. Segment 3: • Debunking the Myth: Tim Challies challenges the idea that you must be “well-established” before marriage. • Flexibility Matters: Financial strain is real, but godly goals and Christian character are far more important. • Be Faithful: Don’t trade your family for career success—work is important, but it’s just a vehicle for serving God and others. Segment 4: • Trust Jesus First: The Bible commands trust in only one person—Jesus. Trust in marriage is important but not absolute. • When Trust Is Unwise: In cases of abuse or verifiable sin, trust must be approached with wisdom and discernment. • Church Response: How your church handles broken trust and abuse matters—Christians must model God’s grace and truth. ___ 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: • A Unique Apologetic: No one could accuse Jesus of sin—what would it take for you to call someone sinless? • Christmas Reflection: Jesus is God, and His sinlessness underscores the miracle of the incarnation. • Faith Insight: Doubt isn’t the same as unbelief—stay grounded in the truth of who Jesus is. Segment 2: • Enduring Praise: God commends tireless discernment, endurance, resistance to the devil, obedience to His Word, and teachable hearts. • Self vs. God: In a world consumed with self-affirmation, focus on what God values. • Scriptural Guidance: “Each man’s praise will come to him from God”—live for His approval, not man’s. Segment 3: • Fewer Families: By 2050, more people over 80 than children will change society—and the church. • Ministry Opportunity: Aging societies mean more ministry alongside singles and those without families. • For Parents: Invest in giving your children a foundation in something greater than the world can offer. Segment 4: • Singleness Isn’t Inferior: The Bible honors singleness as much as marriage—it’s not second-class citizenry. • Encouragement for All: Churches must support both married and single people as demographics shift. • Lessons from the 1960s: Liberal ideologies spread then as they do now—there’s nothing new under the sun. ___ 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!