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Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

Fortis Institute
Wretched Radio with Todd Friel
Latest episode

606 episodes

  • Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

    Can Christians Explain the Gospel? + Is Abortion Ever Justified? + Are People Basically Good?

    02/09/2026 | 55 mins.
    It’s Witness Wednesday at Georgia Tech! Could you explain the gospel if someone put you on the spot? Todd talks with Christian students, tackles tough abortion questions, and challenges an atheist who thinks good people go to heaven.

    Segment 1

    • A Christian physics student sees evidence of a Creator everywhere—but can he clearly explain the gospel?

    • Why understanding our sin is essential to understanding the love of Christ.

    Segment 2

    • Todd gives a group of Christian students 60 seconds to convince him to become a Christian.

    • Is telling someone “God loves you” enough—or are we leaving out the very reason Jesus had to die?

    Segment 3

    • Is abortion ever justified because of rape, incest, disability, or difficult circumstances?

    • Todd brings the debate back to one fundamental question: What is the unborn child?

    Segment 4

    • An atheist thinks Christianity is about being good enough to get into heaven. Is that actually the gospel?

    • Todd challenges his claim to being a “good person” before explaining why salvation isn’t something we can earn.

    ___

    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!
  • Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

    Biblical Preaching vs. TED Talks + Is Your Worship Music God-Centered? + Can Women Serve Communion?

    01/09/2026 | 55 mins.
    Biblical preaching should give you more than a few helpful ideas for the week. Todd contrasts expository preaching with the me-centered “TED Talk” approach, offers a biblical grid for evaluating worship music, and tackles a listener’s question about whether women should serve Communion.

    Segment 1

    • Todd introduces the heart behind his new book, Go Serve Your King. Pre-Order today at FortisInstitute.org/King

    • Why your faith shouldn’t occupy a separate spiritual category from your work, money, recreation, family, and everyday responsibilities.

    • Christianity isn’t a checklist. Learn how ordinary faithfulness in the life God has already given you can glorify your King.

    Segment 2

    • What’s the difference between biblical expository preaching and a Christianized TED Talk?

    • Does your pastor begin with what God has said—or with a topic, felt need, story, or cultural trend?

    • Todd gives seven questions you can use to evaluate the preaching you hear every Sunday.

    Segment 3

    • Todd examines Andy Stanley’s sermons and asks whether they’re teaching you the Bible—or simply teaching you Andy Stanley’s ideas.

    • Is your worship music primarily about God and His glory, or about you and your experience?

    • Five questions to consider when evaluating whether the songs your church sings are biblically faithful, God-centered, and appropriate for congregational worship.

    Segment 4

    • A missionary planting an underground church challenges Todd’s view on women administering the Lord’s Supper.

    • Does Scripture actually require elders or men to distribute Communion—or are we turning a biblical pattern into a rule?

    • Should women read Scripture in the gathered church? Todd considers where participation ends and teaching authority begins.

    ___

    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!
  • Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

    Australia Restricts Evangelism + Why Churches Aren’t Evangelizing + The Best Way to Start a Gospel Conversation

    31/08/2026 | 55 mins.
    Australia is making public evangelism increasingly difficult, many churches say they value evangelism but have no real plan to do it, and plenty of Christians simply don’t know how to start a gospel conversation. Evangelist Andrew Walkington joins Todd to explain what’s happening in Australia—and how ordinary Christians can become more confident sharing their faith.

    Segment 1

    • What is it like trying to evangelize in a country where public preaching and even handing out gospel tracts can be restricted?

    • Andrew explains how changing Australian laws and culture have forced his ministry to rethink open-air evangelism.

    • Why the freedoms American Christians still have should motivate us to make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel.

    Segment 2

    • What’s one of the simplest ways to become better at evangelism? Ask questions.

    • Why are university students increasingly willing to have long conversations about God, truth, and what they believe?

    • Learn how asking someone what they believe—and why they believe it—can naturally open the door to the gospel.

    Segment 3

    • Most churches say evangelism matters—but how many are actually equipping Christians to do it?

    • Can someone know all the right Christian language and still not understand the gospel?

    • Why you should keep asking questions even after someone tells you, “I’m a Christian.”

    Segment 4

    • How do you turn an ordinary conversation with a coworker, neighbor, or stranger into a spiritual conversation?

    • Why asking a spiritual question shouldn’t become an excuse to immediately switch into “preacher mode.”

    • Learn how to challenge someone’s worldview without humiliating them—and why apologetics should always serve the ultimate goal of sharing the gospel.

    ___

    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!
  • Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

    Mailbag Friday: Rubber Jesus Dolls + Freemasons in Church Leadership + Preferred Pronouns at the Zoo?

    28/08/2026 | 55 mins.
    It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

    Segment 1

    • What do you think about churches using a website like Ministry Imprint to identify spiritual gifts and ways people would be good at serving? — Trevor

    • Several older men at my church are Freemasons, including deacons who influence the pastor. What should we do? — Audrey

    Segment 2

    • Our church sign says, “Our church is like fudge...sweet with a few nuts.” Thoughts? — Marion

    • My pastor doesn’t like the term “Christian” and prefers “believer” or “follower.” Am I off base for being concerned? — James

    • Some people say, “It only has to be in the Bible once to be true.” Is there a name for that biblical hermeneutic? — Troy

    Segment 3

    • What are your thoughts on Anglo-Catholicism? — JJ

    • What do you think about the little rubber Jesus dolls Christians are handing out? — Kelli

    • Should Christians be vegans? — Courtney

    Segment 4

    • Is Allie Beth Stuckey a solid biblical woman for other Bible-believing women to listen to? — JoAnna

    • Can you define complementarianism and explain why you aren’t patriarchal in your view of men’s and women’s roles in the church? — Anonymous

    • My family went to the zoo and the animal cages had preferred pronouns listed on them. Thoughts? — 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!
  • Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

    G3 Ministries Is Gone…What Can Churches Learn From It?

    27/08/2026 | 55 mins.
    What do you do when God gives you news you never wanted? And what can churches learn when a respected ministry collapses? Todd looks at trusting God through suffering, the fallout from G3 Ministries, and how churches can pursue accountability without overreacting.

    Segment 1

    • Phil Johnson’s cancer has returned—and the prognosis isn’t what anyone hoped to hear.

    • How should Christians respond when God gives us circumstances we desperately wish He would change?

    • What does it actually look like to trust that God is good even when His plans aren’t ours?

    Segment 2

    • Phil Johnson once argued that evangelical Christianity may be in even greater need of Reformation than the church was in Luther’s day.

    • Could a modern-day Reformation even happen in a culture flooded with Christian influencers and competing voices?

    • Todd examines troubling anti-Semitism within some corners of Christian nationalism—and why forgetting history can have dangerous consequences.

    Segment 3

    • G3 Ministries is gone after another controversy—but Todd believes an innocent pastor’s reputation was unfairly damaged along the way.

    • When does legitimate concern cross the line into publicly besmirching a brother?

    • What can Christians learn from accusations that Todd says never should have escalated the way they did?

    Segment 4

    • After another ministry scandal, what can your church actually do to keep its leaders accountable?

    • Should pastors have additional safeguards, regular reviews, and greater transparency—or can accountability measures go too far?

    • Why no policy or system can completely protect a church when someone is determined to deceive.

    ___

    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!
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About Wretched Radio with Todd Friel
Wretched Radio is hosted by Todd Friel. On the show, you will hear live witnessing encounters, discussions of tough theological issues, and various topics in the Christian community. You might even have a laugh.
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