Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

Fortis Institute
  • 4.8 (3.1K)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED DAILY

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.

  1. Mailbag Friday: Same-Sex Attraction, Marriage in Heaven, Cosmic Child Abuse?

    9H AGO

    Mailbag Friday: Same-Sex Attraction, Marriage in Heaven, Cosmic Child Abuse?

    It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Segment 1 • If I could convince an atheist to read the Bible, which book of the Bible should I recommend that they read first? - Anonymous • I am a young man who desires to enter vocational ministry. However, I struggle with same sex attraction. Is same sex attraction in itself disqualifying from ministry? Is same sex attraction inherently sinful? - Anonymous Segment 2 • This morning, my 7-year-old asked me when he could be baptized. My concern is that he is too young and may not fully understand what it fully means. What should I do? - Dan • I hear people use God's name in vain fairly often. What should I say to someone misusing His name? Should I say anything at all? - Jonathan • What are your thoughts on emergency response and law enforcement jobs, which don't always allow you to be in church on Sunday morning? - Pete Segment 3 • Jesus said that in Matthew 22 that in Heaven we won't be married nor be given in marriage. I've always heard that the first instance of marriage we see is Adam and Eve in Genesis 2, prior to the fall. Why do you think it is that we are introduced to marriage in the garden, where everything is perfect, but denied it in Heaven? - Dylan • Is the doctrine of eternal security essential to understanding the gospel? - Josiah • What would you suggest a rural, non-seminarian to do as a next step in learning biblical Greek after watching “It's Not Greek To Me”? - Wade Segment 4 • My friend does not believe in penal substitutionary atonement and the wrath of God on Jesus at the cross, but rather thinks that Jesus willingly gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. She believes it would be cosmic child abuse from God otherwise. Can one go to heaven if they reject these biblical truths? - Theresa • Recently, I've been seeing wild conspiracy theories pop up very frequently. How should Christians respond to these ideas? Should we sincerely look into them for the truth, or ignore them completely? - Wyatt ___ 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!

    55 min
  2. Experts Were Wrong, Culture Is Collapsing, & People Are Suffering

    1D AGO

    Experts Were Wrong, Culture Is Collapsing, & People Are Suffering

    Segment 1 • So-called “experts” confidently predict global catastrophe—and keep getting it wrong. • A generation was told not to have kids… now some are realizing the cost decades later. • Bad worldview → bad policy → real-life consequences… rinse and repeat. Segment 2 • A shocking crime raises the question: what happens when everyone does “what’s right in their own eyes”? • The way that God could be using our societal chaos might surprise you. • The book of Judges isn’t ancient history, but a warning. Segment 3 – “Compassion” Policies That Backfire • Can promoting harmful behavior actually be framed as “public health”? • Our society often prioritizes “acceptance” over actual well-being. • There are consequences when a society decides to reward identity over truth. Segment 4 • What if the “mental health solution” being promoted is making things significantly worse? • Why are rising mental health issues being ignored when policies claim to fix them? • The data again and again disproves the narrative, and yet the narrative continues. ___ 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!

    55 min
  3. Witness Wednesday: Science Says No, Conscience Says Yes… What’s Next?

    2D AGO

    Witness Wednesday: Science Says No, Conscience Says Yes… What’s Next?

    It’s Witness Wednesday! Join Todd on campus at Georgia Tech in Atlanta for several real-life, on-the-street witnessing encounters. What does our conscience tell us about God? Do we reject God because that’s where the science leads, or because of something deeper? When we realize we are sinners, is there any hope? All of these questions and more are explored - and Christ is exalted on today’s Witness Wednesday. Segment 1 • Eduardo says he’s a “good person”… but does he actually measure up when tested against God’s standard? • What happens when “I’m not that bad” collides with lust, lies, and a guilty conscience? • If someone paid your debt before God… would you accept it—or reject it? Segment 2 • Eduardo admits he’d rather “be himself” and face hell. • The turning point: can justice and mercy both be satisfied without compromising either? • Todd presses the urgency—what if everything you’re chasing is worthless if your soul is lost? Segment 3 • Joey admits design requires a designer, but rejects the logic when applied to God and creation. • People say they reject God for scientific reasons, but the real reasons might be much closer to home. • When your conscience gets exposed—liar, thief, lustful—do you face it or deflect it? Segment 4 • Joey resists “innocent or guilty”—but can you really escape that question before a just Judge? • Another student admits he’s not a good person… so what hope does that leave him? • Why did God create the world—and how does that answer change everything about your future? ___ 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!

    55 min
  4. Feel-Good Faith, Easter Silliness, & Pastor Politicians

    3D AGO

    Feel-Good Faith, Easter Silliness, & Pastor Politicians

    Segment 1 • Todd tasks Jimmy with a very important choice. • From Franklin Graham to Raphael Warnock—two pastors with two completely different messages. • Faith Night on American Idol sounds spiritual… but are the songs actually saying anything meaningful? Segment 2 • What does it really mean to “pray for the president”? • When vague spirituality replaces Christian clarity, the lines between politician and pastor are blurred. • Todd presses the issue: if you can’t explain your prayer, are you actually praying? Segment 3 • Easter is about hope… but a general appeal to a vague, spiritual hope misses the point. • Big churches might have a glossy, polished Easter message and still fail to preach the gospel. • Could watered-down gospel presentations be creating confident—but false—converts? Segment 4 • Churches that simply want to attract the attention of unbelievers have drifted far off course. • From parody videos to real-life Easter gimmicks—how far can things drift before truth disappears? • What you win people with, you win them to. ___ 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!

    55 min
  5. No Wrath, No Sin… No Gospel?

    4D AGO

    No Wrath, No Sin… No Gospel?

    Segment 1 • The hidden danger of replacing real church congregations with online echo-chambers. • A low view of Sunday worship is creeping in—and it’s reshaping how you think about God. • When sermons become casual stories, worship becomes something it’s not. Segment 2 • Why do so many pastors feel the need to “relate” instead of proclaim? • Self-focused storytelling would feel wrong during worship music. Why does it pass in preaching? • When the sermon becomes about the pastor’s life, the word of God is left aside. Segment 3 • Even compelling-sounding Easter messages leave something important out. • Saying “Jesus died for your sins” sounds right… but does it actually explain anything? • Could this missing “why” be the reason people respond emotionally—but never truly understand the gospel? Segment 4 • When you remove sin, wrath, and judgment, you may not have any good news left. • Even strong, polished Easter messages can fall short—what essential truth is being left out? • If churches win people with comfort, spectacle, or entertainment… what are they actually converting them to? ___ 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!

    55 min
  6. Good Friday: The Cross, Your Guilt, & The Life You Must Lose

    APR 3

    Good Friday: The Cross, Your Guilt, & The Life You Must Lose

    Segment 1 • If the cross is everything… why does your faith still feel disconnected? • Stop looking for God’s love in blessings—look at Calvary instead. • What actually happened 2,000 years ago—and why does it change everything for you? Segment 2 • Why would it please God to crush His own Son? • You don’t understand how much God hates sin—and that should terrify you. • What if your “small sins” are enough to condemn you forever? Segment 3 • Think you understand the cross? Make sure you haven’t softened it. • What did Jesus physically endure—and why should that shake you? • If this is what your sin costs… have you taken it seriously? Segment 4 • The cross isn’t about improving your life—it’s about killing your old one. • Why “asking Jesus into your heart” might not mean you’re saved. • Have you actually died to yourself—or are you still trying to save 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!

    55 min
  7. Political “Preacher”, Paula White Shock, & Selective Outrage

    APR 2

    Political “Preacher”, Paula White Shock, & Selective Outrage

    Segment 1 • A woman preaches politics, identity activism, and “rights” - but something’s conspicuously missing. • What happens when churches replace Christ’s mission with cultural causes? • Abandoning biblical authority forces churches to invent new “missions” that feel meaningful—but aren’t. Segment 2 • Paula White compares Donald Trump to Jesus—oh boy. • A lot of culturally Christian language sounds really good… and means nothing. • Why even prominent social and political leaders still get salvation wrong. Segment 3 • Why do so many Christians think they know the gospel—but can’t explain it? • Todd’s encounter at Georgia Tech reveals a bigger problem: what are churches missing? • If key elements like sin, judgment, and repentance are absent… is it still the gospel? Segment 4 • Smash Jesus, but never Muhammad—why the selective outrage? • A politician fined for quoting Scripture—are biblical convictions becoming criminal? • If culture punishes truth and rewards compromise, what happens to Christians who won’t bend? ___ 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!

    55 min
  8. Witness Wednesday: Chance Creation, The Problem Of Evil, & Catholic Doubts

    APR 1

    Witness Wednesday: Chance Creation, The Problem Of Evil, & Catholic Doubts

    It’s Witness Wednesday! Are you prepared to see the insanity of radical subjectivity put to the test? What about our own consciences? Join Todd for real, on-the-street conversations about faith, truth, and Christ’s gospel. SEGMENT 1 • Taj claims truth is subjective—until Todd exposes the contradiction. • Being raised in a Christian environment does not make one a Christian. • If you’re clearly guilty before a just God… how can we have real hope? SEGMENT 2 • Peyton rejects design in the universe—Todd highlights the error with a simple analogy. • Think you’re a “good person”? A quick test exposes lying, lust, theft—and a verdict you probably won’t like. • If God already knew you’d sin, are you still accountable when judgment comes? SEGMENT 3 • Tiernan was told by a Catholic teacher to leave Christianity and explore other beliefs. • If God can erase your guilt, remove your shame, and give you purpose—what’s the reason that you’re rejecting Him? • Is your conscience just psychology… or evidence that you’re accountable to a Creator you can’t ignore? SEGMENT 4 • Tiernan rebuts Todd with the classic objection: the problem of evil. Can Christianity survive this? • Todd reframes the gospel: not just escape from hell, but a complete rewiring of how you think, feel, and see reality. • If Christianity answers guilt, suffering, purpose, and truth—what’s actually stopping you from surrendering today? ___ 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!

    55 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
3,124 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Fortis Institute
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    502
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fortis Institute

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