Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

It’s Witness Wednesday! In today’s episode, Todd Friel engages in meaningful conversations with several university students. First up is Cole, a pro-lifer who isn’t a believer. Later, Todd speaks with agnostic Moira, discussing God’s existence and Moira's personal experiences with Christianity. Todd continually points the students back to the ultimate hope that we are called to share - the gospel of grace through God’s Son. Segment 1 • Cole intrigued by Christianity but skeptical of its claims. • Todd shifts focus from crusades to Cole’s personal sin problem. • God’s holiness vs. human sinfulness is the real crisis. Segment 2 – Cole (part 2) • Cole wrestles with the Trinity and Jesus’ dual nature. • Todd explains how only God-in-flesh could be a worthy substitute. • Salvation is central—Father sends, Son saves, Spirit convicts. Segment 3 • Agnostic Moira shares what she knows about Easter. • She only believes what she can see, and doesn’t personally see the importance of faith. • Moira has been put off from Christianity by bad personal experiences. Segment 4 • Todd holds Moira to account against God’s commandments. • She admits guilt when confronted with God’s commands. • Todd explains Easter: Jesus’ death and resurrection solves our sin and shame problem. ___ 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 • Charlie Kirk memorial created a “cultural moment” and Christian revival. • Revival sparks emotion, but true reformation requires Scripture and discipleship. • Gospel must remain central—don’t swap truth for politics or feelings. Segment 2 • True reformation is built on ordinary means: Word, prayer, sacraments, discipleship. • Local churches—not viral events—grow Christians for the long haul. • Fearless discipleship starts at the kitchen table and in the pew, not in stadiums. Segment 3 • Bishop sells $13M condo funded by the poor vs. Canada’s euthanasia surge. • 1 in 20 deaths in Canada now comes from “assisted dying.” • Both stories reveal comfort over sacrifice—but Christ calls us to self-denial. Segment 4 • Catholic sex abuse scandal: $230M settlement, 500+ victims in one diocese. • Quebec bans public prayer—secularism legislated into daily life. • Taliban’s rules leave Afghan women to die—contrasted with Jesus’ radical dignity toward women at the cross. ___ 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 • Charlie Kirk’s memorial pleasantly shocked man who heard hours of Christ-exalting preaching. • Sin, repentance, and the gospel were actually spoken from the stage. • Rob McCoy set the tone: the guest of honor was the King of kings. Segment 2 • Frank Turek gave a bold, gospel-centered proclamation—Charlie is in heaven only because of Christ’s sacrifice. • Even political figures like Marco Rubio clearly pointed people to Jesus. • Memorial wasn’t just about Charlie—it was about the Savior he served. Segment 3 • Tucker Carlson showed genuine hunger for Christianity but mixed in politics that need clarity. • He highlighted that repentance, not politics, is the starting point for answers. • Other high-profile voices (RFK Jr., Donald Trump Jr.) also mentioned Jesus, surprising many. Segment 4 • The widow Erika Kirk delivered the most Christ-saturated message of all. • Her words cut deep: “Charlie wanted to do God’s will” and “Choose Christ above all.” • She even extended forgiveness to the man who killed her husband—radical love on display. ___ 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 • Why has the Charlie Kirk assassination affected so many, so deeply? Segment 2 • Thoughts on CS Lewis? • Do deacons have to be married? Segment 3 • Is it ever correct to claim that God told you something? Segment 4 • How should we think about the importance of various doctrines? ___ 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 • Outrage over pastors not mentioning Charlie Kirk mirrors COVID-era tensions. • Many left churches not over safety policies—but over refusal to address political topics. • The question: Does ignoring key cultural moments mean pastoral failure? Segment 2 • Five filters to think through before leaving: church view, preaching style, theology, shepherding, and courage. • Faithful pastors may not pause expository preaching for politics—and that may be OK. • Slow down: don’t make a lifelong church decision based on one Sunday. Segment 3 • Resisting the urge to rage-scroll—this issue needs wisdom, not hot takes. • Phil Johnson reminds us: Don’t tear apart the body over one moment. • Instead of bolting, go talk to your pastor face-to-face. Segment 4 • Pastors can address events while keeping Christ central. • Options: comment before/after sermons or hold a separate gathering. • Don’t make fast exits—make slow, prayerful decisions rooted in love. ___ 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! In today’s episode, Todd Friel visits Kennesaw State University to engage with students on matters of faith and beliefs. First, Todd talks with Mateo, where they discuss Easter, its significance in Christianity, and personal accountability before God. Todd also has the chance to speak with a student on the meaning of life and the importance of faith. Segment 1: • Mateo is Catholic, but unsure about the true meaning of Easter. • Believes he’s a “pretty good person” and that God will be impressed with his life. • Todd patiently walks him through the Law, showing why sorrow alone can’t erase guilt—and why Jesus’ resurrection is everything. Segment 2: • Mateo leans on good works and God’s mercy rather than justice satisfied. • Todd uses Old Testament imagery (Passover lamb, animal sacrifice) to help Mateo connect the dots: Jesus was the final blood sacrifice. • Mateo starts to grasp the real meaning of Easter—and admits he’s unsure if he’s truly been born again. Segment 3: • Our next student lives by a “do what makes you happy” philosophy—says personal fulfillment is the goal. • Todd challenges his worldview: What happens when happiness runs dry? Is there anything more stable? • Ex-Christian by association, he admits he doesn’t know what Christianity is really about. Segment 4: • Todd continues his talk with the ex-Christian student and dismantles his moral relativism using the 10 Commandments. • Realizes he’d be guilty before a holy God and deserves judgment—but sees the beauty of grace through Jesus. • Learns salvation is not about “trying harder,” but about receiving Christ’s perfect record by faith alone. ___ 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: • Kirk’s assassination sparked memes and laughter—proof of hollowed-out consciences. • “Demons among us” isn’t metaphorical—darkness rules when life is mocked. • Redemption through Christ, not politics, is the only cure for such depravity. Segment 2: • Culture sets standards low—and behavior sinks even lower. • Mandates, laws, and culture shifts can’t fix broken hearts. • Only heart transformation raises behavior and restores dignity. Segment 3: • Attacks on penal substitution are assaults on forgiveness itself. • PSA: Christ bore our punishment as our substitute—without it, no salvation. • Critics dismiss it as “cosmic child abuse,” but Scripture repeatedly affirms it. Segment 4: • Denying PSA guts the meaning of the cross. • Alternative atonement models may explain effects, but not the cause. • With PSA, the cross is God’s greatest act of love AND justice—without it, just sentiment. ___ 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: • Assassination of Charlie Kirk leaves us with hard questions: why and what now? • Exposes national fracture: free speech attacked, norms collapsing. • Beyond politics: a brother in Christ murdered, a soul lost reminds us of eternal stakes. Segment 2: • Response must be more than outrage—it must drive evangelism. • Politics shift when hearts are changed by Christ. • Five ways to engage: pray, organize, support, hold the rope, or go yourself. Segment 3: • Kids on campuses are detached from reality—spiritual soil is ready. • Pastors should address tragedies like this from the pulpit. • Reminder: persecution shouldn’t surprise us—Jesus warned it would come. Segment 4: • Hope in grief: Charlie is with Christ—happier than we can imagine. • Darkness is real, but the Gospel is the only cure. • Students: courageously hold to truth in classrooms and on campuses. ___ 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: • Did Todd really say “Daytona Beach, California”? • How can I actually overcome lust—not just feel guilty about it? • Is there a real benefit to skipping kids' Bible stories and baby talk? Segment 2: • If I’m volunteering but not tithing, is that a problem? • Can giving time to church substitute for giving money? Segment 3: • When should I stop liking cute Teddy bears and unicorns? I’m 11 and confused. • Is drinking too much coffee actually a sin? Segment 4: • Is “narcissist” a biblical term—or just a secular label? • Can a woman officiate a wedding even if she can’t be a pastor? ___ 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 tragedy: Charlie Kirk’s murder forces us to wrestle with God’s sovereignty. • Why does a good God ordain evil acts? Four rules help us think rightly. • God is working out good, but we must guard against demanding to see it. Segment 2: • What God ordains is always good—even when we do not understand how it could be. • Wrestling with suffering? The problem is never God’s character, but our perspective. • Develop a robust theodicy—God ordains all, yet isn’t the sinner. Segment 3: • The assassination exposes the real crisis: the human heart, not politics. • Political divides weren’t always deadly—what changed? • The only way forward isn’t civility campaigns but the Gospel itself. Segment 4: • Should the murder reignite debate on the death penalty? • Taking a life is dehumanizing—Romans 1 on display. • If this tragedy grieves us, how much more does it grieve 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!