It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.



Segment 1



• What do you mean when you say that God desires tear-filled converts instead of fear-filled converts?



• Why don’t you use illustrations or personal stories in your preaching?



Segment 2



• Should Christians leave bad business reviews if a company wronged them?



• Are women as deacons biblically supported?



Segment 3



• What should a church member do if they discover their pastor is using AI to write or heavily edit sermons?



• Is anointing your home with oil a biblical practice or superstition?



Segment 4



• What counts as “secondary issues” in theology?



• Why would you attend a Catholic funeral but not a Catholic wedding—what’s the difference?



___



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If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Segment 1



• Sermons used to be long and weighty—now they’re shallow.



• Why do we tolerate hours of football but squirm after 20 minutes of preaching?



• Lloyd-Jones and Packer: urgent, doctrinal preaching isn’t optional—it’s essential.



Segment 2



• Why do you go to church—and what do you expect?



• Many show up with little thought, fueling shorter and shallower sermons.



• Preparation matters: pray, take notes, engage your Bible, fight distractions.



Segment 3



• Doctrinal truth without application leaves us wanting.



• Head and heart can’t be separated—truth must move affections.



• Don’t fall into ditches: emotionalism on one side, cold intellectualism on the other.



Segment 4



• Taliban shuts down internet, silencing women and education.



• Christianity uniquely dignifies women—seen even in witnesses to the resurrection.



• True flourishing for women and children is found only in Christ.



___



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!



Join Todd at Kennesaw State University as he discusses truth, the afterlife, postmodernism, and the exclusivity of Christ with two college students.



Segment 1



• Student Brittany says she makes her own rules and believes in evolution, reincarnation, and positive energy.



• Todd walks her through the need for an objective standard of right and wrong.



• He introduces God as a loving, just Creator whose laws reveal everyone’s guilt.



Segment 2



• Todd shifts to a “cosmic courtroom” illustration, showing Brittany God’s perfect justice.



• She admits she’d be guilty under God’s laws but hopes He’d “understand” human mistakes.



• Todd explains why Jesus’ death satisfies God’s justice and saves sinners.



Segment 3



• Erin studies sociology and blends Christianity with reincarnation-type thinking.



• Todd challenges her postmodern thinking—truth isn’t personal, it’s either true or false.



• Todd reasons that creation points to a Creator and presses her on who Jesus really is.



Segment 4



• Erin shares she was baptized in 2020 but struggles with drifting from God in college.



• Todd clarifies the difference between justification and sanctification.



• He encourages her to rest in God’s love and let that motivate obedience instead of guilt.



___



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



• 1 in 5 U.S. adults now get their news from TikTok.



• Kentucky church backs members in checking out LGBT books and not returning them.



• A little girl is adopted into an all-male, three-parent household.



Segment 2



• Hilary Clinton is still making anti-Christian and anti-white male remarks at 77.



• Over 30% of university students believe violence is justified.



• The U.K. names its first lesbian archbishop.



Segment 3



• Muslim mayor in Michigan tells a Christian he’s not welcome.



• Lawmakers propose a total porn ban in Michigan.



• Burkina Faso passes a law banning sodomy — sharp cultural contrast.



Segment 4



• AI “relationships” are growing but reshape morality and ethics.



• Marriage is God’s school of character, shaping us through sacrifice.



• Studies show AI use leads to more unethical behavior.



___



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



• Voddie Baucham’s legacy: a gospel preacher who made much of Christ, not himself.



• His words at Shepherd’s Conference remind us that preaching must center on Jesus.



• The loss of giants like Voddie raises a question: are we valuing our local pastors as we should?



Segment 2



• Voddie left strong opinions that challenged us, from Lord’s Supper to worship practices.



• His challenges forced believers to weigh Scripture over cultural norms.



• Regulative vs. normative worship — his teaching pressed Christians toward biblical clarity.



Segment 3



• Above all, Voddie loved proclaiming the gospel.



• His appearances on The Biggest Question alongside Ray Comfort and E.Z. captured his heart for evangelism.



• His passion was pointing people to Christ, not himself.



Segment 4



• Voddie’s teaching on righteousness: Christ’s robe covers us completely.



• He emphasized both Christ’s active and passive obedience securing our salvation.



• Repentance and faith remain central — essentials we too easily overlook 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!

Segment 1



• Why aren’t all your YouTube videos on Fortis+?



• How can I stay informed on global Christian news and pray for the church more specifically?



• Should Protestants evangelize Roman Catholics, or partner with them?



• What’s the right approach if my pastor preaches something unbiblical?



Segment 2



• My parents want to bury me in their family plot, but my husband wants us buried with his. How do I navigate this?



Segment 3



• My sons and I are learning how to resolve conflict biblically through “Drive By Marriage”—but what does it actually look like to “take an argument to the cross” ?



• I’ve tried everything to make Christian friends, but haven’t had much luck. What do I do?



Segment 4



• Someone I know rejects penal substitution - is that heretical?



• What’s your take on Pastor Mike Todd’s ministry and 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



• Todd and Dr. Greg Gifford discussing mental health and transformation at KSU.



• Free speech vs. foolish speech—where’s the line?



• Jimmy Kimmel suspended—raises questions about consistency in “hate speech” rules.



Segment 2



• Campus reactions to the Charlie Kirk assassination.



• Free speech protects almost everything short of inciting violence—but misuse of it is rampant.



• Where should Christians stand when free speech clashes with biblical wisdom?



Segment 3



• Don Lemon labels the Charlie Kirk memorial “Christian Nationalism.”



• What actually is Christian Nationalism, and was the memorial an example?



• Agreeing on essentials unites us—but should secondary differences divide us?



Segment 4



• Todd jokes about being a “fool”—but what kind?



• Quick guide: explaining free speech and Christian Nationalism simply.



• Ilhan Omar spreads false claims about Charlie Kirk.



• Erika Kirk: she doesn’t want the sole decision on the murderer’s death penalty.



___



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 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!

It’s Witness Wednesday!



Todd Friel is back on campus to engage students in conversations about life’s purpose, evolution versus creation, and the central message of Christianity.



Segment 1:



• Luke was raised Christian, but unsure if he’s good enough to go to heaven.



• Believes Jesus died for his sins, but thinks he still has to “clean up” to be accepted.



• Todd walks Luke through the Law and Gospel to clarify salvation is about forgiveness, not performance.



Segment 2:



• A mechanical engineering student is approached by Todd to discuss ultimate questions.



• Rejects rigid religious structures, unsure whether Jesus is God or just a great prophet.



• Believes morality is relative, but admits he’d be guilty before God on Judgment Day.



Segment 3:



• Our mechanical engineering student continues his conversation with Todd.



• Realizes salvation isn’t about being “pretty good”—it's about repentance and trusting Christ fully.



• Todd encourages him to flee to Christ to escape the coming judgment.



Segment 4:



• Todd’s final interaction of the day is with a young lady who grew up with a casual connection to Christianity and the church.



• She has some Bible knowledge and answers Todd’s questions about being a good person very honestly.



• She is challenged to examine if she truly know Christ as Todd explains the future judgment that awaits.



___



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



• Forgiveness isn’t optional—even when repentance isn’t perfect.



• Broken trust with family means hard, intentional work to rebuild it.



• TRANSFORMED SEASON 4 sets the stage with practical application.



Segment 2



• OnlyFans is exploding across college campuses—a tragic cultural trend.



• Lecrae releases Reconstruction while flirting with deconstruction themes.



• AI “truth” is shaky; apostasy and self-made “truths” define deconstruction.



Segment 3



• Jimmy preaching on deconstruction at camp—Gen Z’s battlefront.



• Even Sproul and MacArthur disagreed—unity is bigger than uniformity.



• Don’t treat church like a product—show up to participate, not consume.



Segment 4



• Jen Hatmaker admits she left the church, maybe for good.



• Simply showing up to church encourages others more than you think.



• Marriage isn’t about convenience—it’s a God-designed school of character.



___



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



• Todd reflects on God’s kindness in creation, quoting C.S. Lewis on earthly pleasures pointing to greater ones to come.



• Ken Ham is a crook? Todd has thoughts.



• Cornerstone Conference was a major success—filled with encouragement and fellowship.



Segment 2



• Todd and Jimmy compare their conference weekends—Cornerstone and White Harvest.



• Scott Klusendorf praised as the best pro-life apologist; Greg Koukl to guest soon.



• Darrell Harrison warns against theology that never gets applied; Phil Johnson’s return was a blessing.



Segment 3



• Parents who feel “ghosted” by their kids are not alone—this is a growing societal trend.



• The local church is essential—only place to fully practice the “one anothers.”



• Parents can’t play Holy Spirit for their kids—must trust God and His means.



Segment 4



• The danger of cell phones in shaping kids’ views of life and marriage.



• OnlyFans reflects a broken sexual culture; many young men still long for marriage.



• Practical counsel: start acting like a husband/father now, and look for a biblically grounded wife.



___



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!