Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1 • Todd receives a small correction on the population of Chattanooga. • What advice would you give me, a teenager, who is trying to help a friend through depression? - Moses Segment 2 • What resources would you recommend for someone looking to gain a biblical understanding of fasting? - David • I’m disturbed by my church’s silence on the issue of abortion. How should I go about addressing this? - Jenee • I want to avoid the apathy and numbness that can develop as believers continue on in their faith. How can I keep awe and wonder towards God alive in my walk? -Anonymous Segment 3 • Since our culture is so intent on reaching our children with secular values, should we actually have our best, most qualified pastors teaching children instead of adults? - Derrick • As a new pastor in your church, how did you determine the vision for the church? - Adrian • Is it a Christian's job to report someone to the law or a supervisor in a corporate setting? - Anonymous Segment 4 • If I was saved and baptized years ago, but have started having doubts, is it ok to ask God to save me over and over again? -Anonymous ___ 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!

A critique of modern theology that elevates humanity while downplaying God’s uniqueness. A viral Minnesota confrontation is used to illustrate how moral reasoning collapses in our culture. A look at performative political outrage that misses genuine evil. A call to recover a sterner, more biblically grounded gospel message.

On-the-street interviews probe motives for following Jesus and whether faith is about rescue or self-improvement. Conversations wrestle with sin, divine justice, and how forgiveness works. Campus polls force hard choices about valuing human life and expose shaky moral foundations. The show presses listeners to be ready to explain repentance and salvation in urgent, real-world moments.

A probe into the philosophical roots of modern cultural confusion, tracing how Enlightenment ideas reshaped truth and identity. A look at why intellectual arguments alone do not change hearts and what actually breaks through spiritual blindness. An exploration of deep biblical scholarship behind single words. A surprising study showing aerobic exercise can rival antidepressants and how community practices boost mental and spiritual health.

A critique of a popular self-help trend that encourages cutting off parents and reshapes family ties. A startling statistic about millions estranged is discussed alongside social media and therapy language recasting conflicts as abuse. Biblical perspectives on sanctification and parenting are contrasted with modern boundary culture. Legal and medical shifts that could limit biblical counseling are also explored.

Listeners ask about turning head-knowledge into heartfelt love for God. Practical faith in everyday life and biblical reasons for rejoicing are explored. Conversations cover forgiveness and repentance, problems with repeat-after-me prayers, and whether remarriage is permissible after biblical divorce. The show also discusses alcohol in worship, reading Scripture responsibly, and end-of-life medical decisions.

They challenge the common story of the Crusades and spotlight who actually controlled the Middle East before Islam’s rise. They question whether crusaders sought wealth or sacrificed everything for conviction. They name modern church struggles like assurance, loneliness, pornography, and anxiety. They offer practical ways to respond when believers admit doubt to help restore confidence and community.

A recent arrival from France studying aerospace engineering, initially skeptical about religion, explains his interest in design and rules. Short, direct conversations probe conscience, justice, and whether order implies a maker. The show presses on moral accountability, the courtroom of God, and the claim that sin, not mere unbelief, is the real problem.

Phil Johnson, veteran Christian leader with decades at Grace to You and Grace Community Church, reflects on whether evangelicalism is collapsing or quietly being rebuilt. He traces historical cycles of influence and decline. He warns against celebrity-led movements and social media platforms without institutional accountability. He critiques cultural contextualization and defends plurality of elders with careful leadership selection.

Segment 1 • Massive cultural moments, like last night’s Superbowl, promise fulfillment but fade almost instantly. • The halftime show controversy shows us how our entertainment is driving moral numbness for our nation and world. • A sharp challenge: if the biggest moments don’t last, why do we keep living for them? Segment 2 • Here’s what suffering for Christ’s sake in our life tells us about the character and attributes of God. • God values something more than your comfort - and this changes everything in your life. • First Peter’s uncomfortable but hope-filled call to lift your eyes above temporary victories. Segment 3 • How sentimental slogans weaponize empathy and shut down moral clarity. • Phrases like “love is love” feel compassionate but smuggle in serious worldview assumptions. • A smarter approach: asking the right questions instead of taking rhetorical bait. Segment 4 • Bible sales are up—but biblical literacy may not be. • What church closures, entertainment trends, and AI-driven depravity reveal about spiritual decay. • A sobering reminder: sin never satisfies, no matter how advanced the technology gets. ___ 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!