Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

It’s Witness Wednesday! On today’s episode, Todd Friel engages everyday people on the street in downtown Minneapolis. Touching on issues like morality, sin, and the afterlife, Todd challenges each of the people he meets to examine their soul in light of the God that created them. Pointing them continually to the gospel, he leaves them with hope of a savior in Christ. Segment 1 • Jordan flat-out rejects God, heaven, and hell, calling it all a big fairy-tale. • Admits he'd have a "box seat with Hitler" in hell, showing zero concern for his soul. • Jordan listens as Todd presents design/creator logic, but shrugs it off. Segment 2 • Lindsey claims she's going to heaven because she's “good,” even after confessing to sin. • She believes God forgives “little things” but draws the line at serious crimes. • When reminded that Jesus died for sins, she pivots. Segment 3 • Erin knows Christian doctrine from Catholic school but admits to rarely reading the Bible. • Compares her spiritual walk to ignoring a boyfriend’s love letters. • Struggles with the idea of “begging” for mercy but concedes the logic when it's likened to pleading for forgiveness in a broken relationship. Segment 4 • Garrett proudly wears a tattoo of “Agape” (God’s love) and articulates core gospel truth clearly. • Shares how drugs and partying failed to satisfy. • When pressed, he affirms he didn’t believe just to make life better—but to be saved from “the wrath that is to come.” ___ 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!

Our guest host today is Fortis Institute Fellow Libby Glosson from The Better Way Podcast! Segment 1 • Culture says “follow your feelings,” while influencers say “crush them”, and neither is biblical. • The Stoic mindset promises control, but offers counterfeit freedom. • God feels holy emotions - we shouldn’t be afraid of ours. Segment 2 • The Bible doesn’t say “suck it up”, but submit emotions to truth. • Even “hidden” feelings like anger or fear can be sinful if they contradict God’s Word. • What do your emotions reveal about what you worship? Segment 3 • Emotional exhibitionism turns private feelings into public performances. • Oversharing isn’t always authenticity—it can be manipulation masked as vulnerability. • Biblical modesty isn’t just about clothing, but we carry our hearts, too. Segment 4 • What does it mean to show our emotions indecently? • True modesty humbles the heart—no gushing, no tantrums, no self-advertising. • Sanctification shapes not just your mind and behavior, but your emotions too. ___ 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!

Join Dr. Greg Gifford, a Biblical counselor and host of the Transformed podcast, as he explores the troubling rise of AI chatbots in therapy and companionship. He discusses how many seek these digital friends due to loneliness, highlighting the dangers of emotional validation from bots that lack true wisdom. With concerns about bots shaping moral decisions, Gifford emphasizes the need for Christians to sharpen their discernment, particularly for youth. He advocates for relying on authentic community rather than algorithmic advice.

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1 • What’s your take on Molinism? - Lora • Is there a biblical difference between our heart and our soul? - Anonymous • Are there theological implications to wearing our loved one’s ashes, like in jewelry? - Renae Segment 2 • Do you think block parties are an appropriate method of evangelism? - Zachary • Is it suitable for women to assume church leadership roles if there are no men available? - Zoe • Is it okay for Christians to kiss before they’re married, like when they’re dating? - Jachin Segment 3 • Can you baptize yourself if no one else is around? - Joe • Bagpipes vs. pipe organs—does one glorify God more than the other? - Kayla Segment 4 • If God’s grace is irresistible, do my bad attitudes even matter? - Anonymous • Is it wrong to ask God to use suffering to save someone? - Grace • Should I force my teen to read the Bible—or let them choose willingly? - David ___ 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!

Our guest host today is Dr. Adam Tyson from Way of Manhood podcast! Segment 1 • What happens when you truly encounter God? • Seeing God’s holiness exposes our deepest sin and unworthiness. • A true encounter with God leads to repentance and radical obedience. Segment 2 • God's presence satisfies what nothing else can. • The path to intimacy with God includes hard valleys that bring refreshment. • Better to be a doorkeeper with God than a king without Him. Segment 3 • The tongue is small but powerful - it controls your life like a rudder or a spark. • Words can destroy more than we realize, and only Christ can transform our tongue. • True transformation starts with a cleansed heart and Spirit-filtered speech. Segment 4 • You’ve been forgiven an unpayable debt—how can you withhold mercy from others? • True forgiveness isn’t optional; it’s expected of the forgiven. • Forgiveness releases bitterness—even if the other person never apologizes. ___ 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! Today, join Todd at Gainesville State University as he engages students about their experiences and spiritual beliefs. In a number of unique conversations, see how the law and the gospel can be presented in a way to make individuals see their sin and their need for a savior in Christ. Segment 1 • Efren lost his sight at age 8—he “sees” now through memory, sound, and mental mapping. • Openly admits being unsure about his Catholic faith and what Jesus' sacrifice really means. • Efren is confronted with the reality of sin and the justice of God. Segment 2 • Drew, dressed in a monk-style outfit for fun, admits he claimed Christianity mostly for “fire insurance.” • Fully confesses he doesn’t live like a Christian and is scared of death and judgment. • Realizes he's treated salvation as an escape plan, not a relationship with a holy God. Segment 3 • Walked through the Ten Commandments and confessed to being a liar, thief, and lustful. • Learns that true Christianity isn’t about earning God’s love—it’s about receiving undeserved grace. • Begins to grasp the gospel: Jesus saves sinners not because they're good, but because He's good. Segment 4 • Anna wants to evangelize but wrestles with how to explain the gospel clearly. • Learns how to shift from “ask Jesus into your heart” to biblically using God’s law to reveal sin and lead to repentance. • Encouraged to root her Christian walk in grace, not guilt—her performance doesn’t keep her saved, Jesus does. ___ 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!

Todd has Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Jason Lisle back in the studio today for Wretched Radio. Segment 1 • UFOs are a perennially hot topic, but most have a reasonable explanation. • Belief in aliens often fills a void for people in the realm of ultimate questions. • We’re not alone, because God is already here—and He’s revealed the truth. Segment 2 • Most UFO sightings are predictable science, not extraterrestrial visitors. • Scripture makes Earth the center of God’s plan—no need for alien saviors. • The burden isn’t on Christians to disprove aliens, but on skeptics to prove them. Segment 3 • The world’s climate has always changed, and warming has historically been a positive thing. • Modern panic relies on conjectural models, not measurable facts. • Carbon isn’t the enemy; it fuels food, life, and growth. Segment 4 • Climate alarmism thrives on fear because fear drives power and control. • God promised stable seasons—global collapse isn’t coming. • Using technology to heal honors God; using it to replace Him repeats Babel. ___ 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!

Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Jason Lisle joins Todd for this episode of Wretched Radio. Segment 1 • Astronomy reveals God's design; astrology denies Him and is condemned in Scripture. • James Webb Telescope findings shock secularists—mature galaxies where none “should” exist. • Science confirms Scripture: the universe looks designed because it is. Segment 2 • Intelligent design without Christ still leaves you lost—salvation requires the gospel. • The universe’s perfect balance exposes the myth of cosmic randomness. • Creation confirms Scripture and calls us to bold, Christ-centered apologetics. Segment 3 • Denying Adam’s literal existence crumbles the foundation of sin, death, and redemption. • Genesis reads as real history—grammar, structure, and Jesus affirm it. • Evolutionary compromise leads to gospel confusion and theological collapse. Segment 4 • Old-earth views distort sin, death, and the atonement—Christ died physically because Adam’s sin was physical. • Popular theories (Day-Age, Gap Theory) conflict with Scripture and science. • Literal Genesis was the historic church view—until secular science shaped theology. ___ 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 • What are you rules for discussing a fallen pastor on air? - Todd Segment 2 • Is there any biblical reason to believe that saints who are in heaven can hear the prayers of us still on earth? - Jordan Segment 3 • Have you heard of the “soul care” movement? Do you have any thoughts on it? - Rachel Segment 4 • How can we draw the line between audibly hearing a revelation from God and being given a gut-feeling or hunch about something? - Tamara ___ 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 • “Thus Sayeth the Lord” is the Christian's true weapon in cultural and spiritual battles. • AI porn is on the rise, possibly replacing real people in 20 years, challenging Christian arguments based on human dignity. • Only God’s Word offers unchanging authority. Segment 2 • AI-fueled depravity is coming fast, with the power to generate any sinful fantasy imaginable. • Christians must return to quoting Scripture, not merely offering moral objections. • God’s Word is the power, not our persuasiveness. “Thus Sayeth the Lord” still turns worlds upside down. Segment 3 • Tim Challies reflects on losing his son Nick, facing the tension of tragedy and God’s control. • In suffering, we must separate what God does from how He uses it. • God is good, able, and faithful—and that truth holds us. Segment 4 • Tragedy often brings anger and doubt about God's love. • If you don’t know God's character, you’ll misinterpret His providence. • God isn’t distant—He desires deep relationship, even in our pain. ___ 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!