Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

Segment 1 • Not all doctrinal errors are created equal: some are skin-deep, while some are truly fatal. • Denying core attributes of God (justice, omnipotence, Trinity) moves you firmly outside Christian orthodoxy. • Secondary issues can quietly morph into primary threats if they implicate larger, more central theological issues. Segment 2 • Hell may be a secondary issue… but it’s not just a “friendly disagreement.” • Rejecting eternal punishment often stems from seeking to redefine God’s character as only loving. • It may seem harmless, but it warps the gospel and threatens scriptural foundations. Segment 3 • Phil Johnson says that questions can be asked, but not every doctrine should be endlessly debated. • If one wants to deny hell, one usually has to get around some pretty clear words from Jesus. • Most historical rejections of hell came from cults or liberal fringe—not the faithful church. Segment 4 • Today’s “just asking questions” mindset is often doubt disguised as curiosity. • Hell isn’t up for revision—it’s central to Jesus’ message and the urgency of the gospel. • Tone matters, but clarity matters more: eternal conscious torment is the historic, biblical truth. ___ 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 we travel to Kennesaw State University where students are asked about issues like postmodernism, grace, and the biblical worldview. Students Matt and Joseph are challenged to truly consider Christ and His gospel. Segment 1 • Matt identifies as a Christian but embraces postmodernism and radical subjectivity. • Todd walks him through historical worldviews and exposes the flaw in relativism. • Matt begins reconsidering postmodernism after realizing it can’t account for objective moral truth. Segment 2 • Todd challenges Matt with five core questions: origin, purpose, morality, guilt, and destiny. • Christianity uniquely answers all five through the person and work of Jesus Christ. • Matt is struck by the clarity and coherence of the gospel message compared to other belief systems. Segment 3 • Todd urges Matt to consider truth as that which aligns with objective reality, not just feeling. • Christianity isn’t about blind faith—it’s about trusting God as He’s been revealed. • Todd explains that real love means courageously sharing truth, even when it's uncomfortable. Segment 4 • Joseph professes belief in God but thinks salvation results from our good works. • Todd gently corrects him, explaining Jesus paid our debt fully, and forgiveness cannot be earned. • Joseph listens, affirms belief in Jesus, and seems impacted by the clarity of 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!

Segment 1 • John Stott’s cautious support for annihilationism sparked theological tension. • The church, historically, has rejected annihilationist views. • Reinterpreting hell marks a break from church history and doctrine. Segment 2 • Our view on hell should be guided by God’s word, not emotion. • Bible examples show instant judgment for “small” sins—divine justice is deadly serious. • Hell’s eternality, rather than compromising God’s justice, magnifies it. Segment 3 • Annihilationism’s survival is more cultural than biblical because it speaks to modern sensitivities. • Enlightenment and Victorian culture softened God's justice to adjust for human tastes. • Theological liberalism grew where a biblical fear of God faded. Segment 4 • Each generation reshapes God, in some way, to fit its comfort level. • Vatican II and modern psychology blurred the lines on judgment and accountability. • As God becomes more “sentimental,” hell disappears—and so does 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!

Segment 1: • Let’s talk about hell. • The church has been debating and systematizing beliefs on hell as long as Christianity has been around. • Certain beliefs about hell, like annihilationism and universalism, have been outside the bounds of orthodoxy for thousands of years. Segment 2 • Many church fathers were crystal clear—hell is eternal punishment. • Annihilationism is in the grey: not heresy, and certainly not orthodoxy. • If hell isn’t eternal, we truly have no urgency to see people saved. Segment 3 • Some claim Luther doubted hell—he didn’t. He affirmed eternal, conscious torment. • Jonathan Edwards’ view? The terrible sinfulness of sin deserves equally momentous justice. • Minimizing hell minimizes sin, and ultimately minimizes God’s justice against sin. Segment 4 • William G.T. Shedd: early Christians didn’t even entertain annihilationism. • The clearest voice on hell? Jesus Himself - and he makes the eternality of hell clear. • If universalism is true, then the cross becomes unnecessary. ___ 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 • When we say that Christians cannot lose their salvation, what exactly do we mean? - Ralph • In regards to Deuteronomy 4:9, should grandparents be taking a big role in teaching the things of God to their grandchildren? - David • Are near-death experiences and visions of heaven or hell legitimate? - Anonymous Segment 2 • Is it wise to listen to sermons or teachings from a pastor that has since fallen into sin? - Seth • How can we guard ourselves from a performance-based mindset, such as thinking God is happier with us when we are doing good? - Alexandra Segment 3 • Should our beliefs about the rapture and the tribulation guide our choice of a church? - Anonymous • Is it wrong to ask God to send me a sign when I need help deciding on something? - Anonymous • At what point does a hobby become an idol? - Josiah Segment 4 • Should a church host secular plays from their stage? - Joann ___ 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!