Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Segment 1 • What if Ray Comfort had debated those 20 atheists instead of Jordan Peterson? Would it have changed anything? • I’m a Bible college student struggling with shame and sexual sin—how do I move forward? • How can I help someone understand that how they dress actually matters? Segment 2 • A pastor at my church blocks me online and avoids me in person—what should I do? Segment 3 • Is my baptism still valid if it was performed by someone who later proved to be a false convert? • How should I think biblically about major life decisions like work, marriage, or school? Segment 4 • Is it wrong to leave your native culture for another one? • What encouragement do you have for lonely pastor’s wives? • I shared the gospel with a family member—should I speak again or just keep praying? ___ 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: • Baptism isn’t optional—are you obeying or just attending? • NYT slams the SBC for decline, but biblically faithful churches are growing. • Upcoming SBC resolutions could shift the direction of the denomination. Segment 2: • Chan throws former church members under the bus with zero accountability. • NT Wright offers a confused, pro-choice stance that fumbles biblical clarity. • Christians need courage to stand for life—and wisdom when speaking on it. Segment 3: • AP targets Ken Ham while Rome sells “apostolic blessings” like souvenirs. • Pastors often quit not from failure, but exhaustion and stagnation. • Leaders must know their limits—and churches must know how to support them. Segment 4: • A 5-cent donation sobers Todd—faith isn’t about amount, but sacrifice. • Jehovah’s Witnesses offer works-based salvation—but the true Gospel is grace. • When evangelizing cults, aim straight for the conscience with 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!

It’s Witness Wednesday! Todd Friel conducts is on the campus of Georgia Tech where he engages with several students to discuss the Christian gospel and explores their religious beliefs. Todd will dialogue with those he encounters on spirituality, morality, and the concept of God. Segment 1: • Drew believes a creator exists due to the complexity of life but leans toward deism—God created the world and stepped back. • He acknowledges lying, stealing, and lusting—recognizes guilt if judged by God’s moral standard. • Drew listens intently as the gospel is presented—admits if it’s true, it would be the kindest act ever done for him. Segment 2: • Drew wrestles with the seeming contradiction between human imperfection and religion’s call to holiness. • He understands how the cross resolves God’s justice and mercy—Jesus was punished in our place. • Drew admits he needs to explore it further but pushes it off—says he’s too busy with school right now. Segment 3: • Todd talks with two female students who claim to be Christians. They can loosely explain the gospel and emphasize repentance and faith, though with some theological fuzziness. • Todd meets Jason, working the inflatable rental. Jason calls himself spiritual but not religious—he rejects church due to perceived hypocrisy. • Jason admits he’s broken many moral laws but still sees himself as a good person—hopes his effort is enough. Segment 4: • Confronted with God’s justice—Jason admits he’d be guilty if judged and might deserve hell. • He learns that Jesus took the punishment on his behalf so he could be freely forgiven. • Challenged to consider the gospel urgently—Todd encourages Jason to read the Bible and decide whether it’s true before it’s too late. ___ 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 Guardian report links pornography to pedophilia—and it’s gaining traction. • Addiction isn’t the root—sin is. You’re not powerless. • Over 800 men in the UK are arrested monthly for child porn, and it escalates with exposure. Segment 2: • Porn is showing up in hospital abuse reports—kids are imitating what they see. • A KC hospital saw over 1,000 child abuse cases last year, many tied to porn. • Culture normalizes filth, but Scripture calls it shameful—and dangerous. Segment 3: • Hollywood feeds your appetite for sin—then hands you a mirror. • Men are delaying marriage, stunted by screens and passivity. • The Church must stop consuming what it should be confronting. Segment 4: • Marriage used to be the goal—now it’s optional. • Culture redefines identity, success, and stability—and it’s all unraveling. • Even names and family are no longer fixed in a shifting society. ___ 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 Southern Baptist Convention heads to Dallas—and tensions are rising. • Debates over the ERLC’s purpose and women’s roles in the church resurface. • Millions of dollars are at stake—are they fueling mission or bureaucracy? Segment 2: • Todd questions if the SBC is investing more in politics than people. • Al Mohler even questions the ERLC’s effectiveness—so what now? • What if those dollars were redirected to direct gospel work? Segment 3: • The SBC wants unity—but disagreements over essentials threaten that goal. • True unity can’t be built on compromise—it must be rooted in truth. • The Lord’s Table reminds us: sin is deep, but grace is deeper. Segment 4: • As the SBC meets, deeper questions loom: Are we majoring in minors? • MacArthur and Sproul once showed how to disagree without dividing. • Maybe it’s time to refocus on the gospel and rediscover love for God. ___ 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 • Are all children a gift from God—even when they grow up to do evil? • Is keeping a backup plan doubting God’s call into ministry? • Is throwing away old food sinful or just sensible? Segment 2 • Does Todd know the Mailbag Friday questions ahead of time? • Did the nicotine gum actually work for Todd? • How do I honor my mom without affirming her ongoing adultery? • Is it biblical to call the church “a hospital for sinners”? Segment 3 • My adult child revealed past church abuse—should I take action or let it go? • Should I call my son by his transgender name—or is that affirming sin? • Can Christians still cast lots to make decisions today? • Will we actually see God’s face in heaven? Segment 4 • Should I reconsider church membership if the pastor supports broad use of the death penalty? • Was I a false convert if I responded emotionally to a fear-based play as a child? • Why do some people use “Godhead” instead of “Trinity”? – Order the new book, “Lies My Therapist Told Me”, by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme – 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: • Jordan Peterson speaks to 20 atheists—but refuses to confess Christ. • His worldview sounds spiritual, but not biblical. • Apologetics can stir minds, but only the gospel saves souls. Segment 2: • Peterson dodges the “Are you a Christian?” question again and again. • Atheists press hard—and his answers only get murkier. • When you rely on intellect, you end up with confusion, not salvation. Segment 3: • Peterson lets atheists question God without pointing them to Christ. • The Bible has answers, but Peterson holds back. • One atheist shows openness—will someone give her the gospel? Segment 4: • Peterson debates morality; the atheists need mercy, not theory. • “Aim up” won’t save anyone—only Jesus crucified for sinners. • A heart-wrenching reminder: truth without Christ is still lostness. – Order the new book, “Lies My Therapist Told Me”, by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme – 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 where attempts to understand students’ level of conviction in their faith or lack thereof. The discussions touch on themes of evangelism, the problem of tolerance in religious discourse, and the Christian gospel. Segment 1: • Todd talks with a Hindu student who admits he’s a “5” on belief, describes his god as an amorphous entity, and refuses to convert Todd—even when begged: “You believe what you believe.” • David the Methodist gives himself a 7.5 but says it’s not his place to convince others; believes faith is comforting but offers no reason why Todd should believe it too. • Both students echo the cultural mantra: “Just be good”—and miss the gospel entirely. Segment 2: • Todd speaks with Travis who claims to be an atheist, then shifts to agnostic when challenged—saying his beliefs are based more on feelings than facts. • Admits he’s lied, stolen, lusted, and deserves hell—yet says it doesn’t bother him because he doesn’t believe in it. • Todd walks him through the law and the gospel, but Travis feels nothing and admits: “It honestly doesn’t concern me.” Segment 3: • Matt tries to share his faith with Todd but struggles to explain sin, the gospel, or assurance of salvation. • Admits he hasn’t read his Bible outside church in a long time—yet claims Jesus is precious to him. • Todd lovingly warns: “No Bible, no breakfast,” urging Matt to get grounded before temptation takes root on campus. Segment 4: • Todd talks with a young man who was raised Buddhist but disengaged—says all religions are basically good and teach people to live right. • Agrees he’s done wrong but says he’s “half and half”—not a bad person, just not perfect. • Hears the gospel clearly and respectfully, but walks away with no urgency to consider his guilt before a holy God. – Order the new book, “Lies My Therapist Told Me”, by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme – 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!

In support of his new book, “Lies My Therapist Told Me”, Dr. Greg Gifford joins Todd Friel today for a special Wretched Radio episode. “Lies My Therapist Told Me” is available for purchase today! Segment 1: • 1 in 4 Americans are labeled with mental illness—without blood tests or brain scans. • Psychiatry is built on subjective symptoms, not scientific evidence. • SSRIs are prescribed as a shot in the dark, despite unclear causes or outcomes. Segment 2: • Scripture defines the mind as spiritual; the brain is physical—a crucial distinction. • Secular therapy targets the brain, but only God’s Word renews the mind (Romans 12:2). • Outsourcing soul care to unbelievers denies biblical anthropology and gospel hope. Segment 3: • ADHD is often diagnosed to explain immaturity or secure school funding—not science. • Written evaluations, not lab tests, lead to life-altering labels and medications. • Ask hard questions: Is your child undisciplined, or just not designed for 6-hour desks? Segment 4: • Lies My Therapist Told Me stays boldly biblical—even with a secular publisher. • The real solution to mental pain isn’t treatment—it’s transformation through salvation. • You’re not broken beyond repair—Christ frees you from sin, shame, and bad labels. – Order the new book, “Lies My Therapist Told Me”, by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme – 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: • Church leadership can harm from within—watch for these six red flags. • Pride, control, burnout, and compromise are signs of sick shepherds. • Don’t weaponize this list—use it to pray for and support your leaders. Segment 2: • Want a thriving church? Be a good churchman—it strengthens the whole body. • Small habits—prayer, presence, encouragement—have eternal impact. • Church isn’t just about consuming—it’s about contributing with joy. Segment 3: • Your justification isn’t based on your effort—it’s Christ’s work alone. • The early church affirmed what the Bible teaches: righteousness is imputed, not earned. • Don’t confuse sanctification with justification—eternity hinges on this distinction. Segment 4: • E.O. theology redefines salvation—shifting it from grace to performance. • Progressive salvation and deification contradict forensic justification. • The Reformers stood firm—will you? – Preorder the new book, Lies My Therapist Told Me, by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme – 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!