Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

Have You Been Lied To About This Major Historical Event—Here’s The Truth

20 snips
Feb 12, 2026
They challenge the common narrative about the Crusades and who actually controlled the Middle East before Islam’s expansion. They unpack whether crusaders sought wealth or sacrificed everything for belief. They spotlight quiet struggles in modern Christian life like doubt, loneliness, and pornography. They offer practical ways churches and individuals can respond to and support those wrestling with faith.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Crusades Viewed As Reactionary History

  • The common narrative that the Crusades were unprovoked Christian land-grabs omits centuries of earlier Islamic conquests.
  • Todd Friel emphasizes that much of the Middle East and parts of Europe were Christian before Islam's expansion, reframing the Crusades as a reactionary counterattack.
INSIGHT

Medieval Demographics Shifted Before Crusades

  • By the 8th century large swathes of formerly Christian lands were under Muslim rule, changing the regional religious map.
  • Friel uses this demographic shift to argue the Crusades were responses to long-term territorial and religious losses Christians suffered since the 7th century.
ADVICE

Don't Treat Crusaders As Greedy Opportunists

  • Do not assume crusaders sought wealth because crusading often bankrupted participants and strained European finances.
  • Paul Crawford and Todd Friel note crusades caused inflation, income taxes, and bankrupt nobles, showing financial ruin outweighed profit for most.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app