Mailbag Friday: Can Our Friends In Heaven Hear Our Prayers?

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!

It’s Witness Wednesday! Join Todd Friel on campus at Georgia State University as he engages four different students on topics like truth, meaning, and the afterlife. Focusing on self-examination and the call of the gospel, these students are pointed towards the true transformation that Christ brings us. Segment 1 • Eduardo believes in God, but admits he’s drifted from church and isn’t sure about heaven or hell. • He thinks he’s “a good person”—until he’s gently walked through the Ten Commandments. • He hears the full gospel, including God's justice and Jesus paying the penalty. Segment 2 • Joey believes in evolution despite recognizing complex design in software, his field of study. • His conscience gets confronted through a rapid-fire morality check. • He hears the gospel clearly: Jesus died for sinners like him. Segment 3 • Our next student is Catholic in name only, and admits he’s not really committed to his faith. • Listens attentively as the purpose of creation and the gospel are explained as a demonstration of God’s mercy and grace. • Concedes he’s broken several of the Ten Commandments and agrees he’s not a good person—then hears how Jesus saves sinners. Segment 4 • Final student of the day grew up in church but walked away. • He isn’t hostile towards the Christian faith, but simply apathetic about it. • Left with a challenge to reconsider the true 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 • Kirk Cameron’s new video has reignited talk on annihilationism in Christian theology. • A 2022 email from Dr. John MacArthur warned this was coming — was he right? • Todd unpacks the semantic range behind the word for “hell.” Segment 2 • Bart Ehrman’s controversial article on hell is still fueling debate. • Key scriptures (Matthew 10:28, Revelation 14:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:9) are used to counter annihilationist claims. • Scriptures overriding message on the topic is clear: Hell is not negotiable. Segment 3 • Al Mohler joins the discussion in response to Kirk Cameron’s take. • Conditional immortality might “feel” right — but does it hold up biblically? • Matthew 25:46 is clear: eternal life and eternal punishment are a package deal. Segment 4 • Degrees of punishment in hell hint at deeper theological implications. • How we talk about hell shapes how we share the gospel. • Jesus didn’t soften the doctrine of hell — so why are we tempted to? ___ 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 “Mary Did You Know?” vocal showdown turns into deep reflection on the incarnation. • Singers compared on emotion and power, but the real awe lies in the miracle of God becoming man. • Todd reminds us: Mary gave birth to God in flesh — fully divine, fully human — and that truth should floor us. Segment 2: • Christmas risks becoming routine—unless we intentionally reflect on its meaning: God's love in the incarnation. • Loving God is the highest command; Christmas should rekindle that love, not just holiday tradition. • J.C. Ryle reminds us: real Christianity isn’t formality—it’s loving Christ with all your heart. Segment 3: • Children must be taught more than morals—they must be shown reasons to love Christ. • J.C. Ryle: The #1 goal in parenting isn’t obedience—it’s nurturing love for Jesus. • Convicting checklist: If you love Christ, you think of Him, talk of Him, and love His people. Segment 4: • Seven powerful reasons you're secure in Christ from John 10: You’re claimed, called, known, led, gifted, secured, and glorified. • You didn’t choose Jesus—He chose you, and no one can snatch you from His hand. • Even doctrines like eternal hell become clear when glorified—you’ll rejoice in God’s perfect justice. ___ 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 addresses Kirk Cameron’s recent comments on hell and annihilationism. Segment 2 • Is there such a thing as idolizing knowledge about God? Can I spend too much time trying to learn about God? - Anonymous • Who do you think died first: Jesus, or the thief on the cross next to him? - Steve • I disagree with your take on AI worship music. I think praise is always good, no matter who sings it. Thoughts? - Anonymous • Bonus: Phil Johnson just dropped a note… Segment 3 • How can Christians turn the other cheek in the workplace without being a doormat? - Anonymous • Should pastors know how much money each congregant individually gives to the church? - Pat • When unbelievers pray, is anyone actually listening? - Anonymous Segment 4 • How should Christians rightly think about feeling proud about accomplishments? - Anonymous • What do you think about certain denominations that don’t require church membership? - Anonymous • Are all sins equal in the eyes of God? - 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!

Segment 1 • Christian Nationalism is rising... but no one agrees on what it means. • It’s not the same old “separation of church and state”—it’s something new. • Neil Shenvi suggests this movement is already on the decline. Segment 2 • Some Christian Nationalist rhetoric is undeniably racist and dehumanizing. • Not everyone in the movement is extreme, but the toxic voices are there. • Christians should be leading on justice, not just picking sides. Segment 3 • Outreach events often confuse food and fun with actual evangelism. • No gospel, no follow-up, no impact - that’s not evangelism. • Churches that highlight family and follow-through could change lives and save souls. Segment 4 • University of Colorado pays $10M over the COVID jab. • 1 in 5 Americans believe the Bible was written to control people. • Most evangelicals don't hold to a literal reading of the Bible. Where do we go from here? ___ 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, Todd ventures on campus at Georgia Tech to have conversations about Christ, truth, and the afterlife. He meets students Ryan and Dallas and encourages them to trust in the reality and truth of the gospel of Christ. Segment 1 • Todd uses Ryan’s Chick-fil-A sandwich to argue for intelligent design. • Ryan, an agnostic-leaning student, wrestles with the idea of creation vs. the Big Bang. • Todd gently calls out Ryan's reluctance to accept a Creator, and the possible motive behind it. Segment 2 • Todd probes deeper into Ryan’s conscience. • Ryan admits he’d be found guilty if judged by God, but still doubts the justice or existence of such a being. • Ryan doubts Todd’s ability to know this truth, but affirms his logic. Segment 3 • Todd meets Dallas, a witty nuclear engineering student who might say he is spiritual but not religious. • Dallas admits to moral failings but assumes God will be “understanding.” • Todd points Dallas towards Christ taking his punishment for him. Segment 4 • Todd outlines the gospel — forgiveness through Jesus, not good works — but Dallas hesitates, hung up on religion and the name “Jesus.” • Dallas responds to the gospel with sarcasm and dismissal. • Todd encourages you: respond to the gospel in faith - don’t dismiss it. ___ 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 • Jury trials scrapped in Britain for offenses under 3 years—what’s next? • Canadian pastor jailed for protesting drag story hour; euthanasia stats in Canada shock the world. • Nigeria: over 200 school kids kidnapped as Christian persecution runs rampant. Segment 2 • 61% of pastors now using AI weekly—how should congregants think about this? • Ridiculous complaints raised by cheater website Ashley Madison about AI chatbots. • 90% of college students think “words = violence.” Segment 3 • Christians face two dangerous extremes: being consumed by bad news vs. living in ignorance. • "Wise as serpents, infuriated at evil" — we’re called to be informed, not indifferent. • A United Methodist preacher announces he’s “transitioning” — and claims it's part of his ministry. Segment 4 • UMC pastor tells kids they don't need to obey their parents if feelings are hurt. • Claims he’s not “becoming a woman,” just stopping the charade of acting like a man. • This isn’t deep thinking — it’s moral sophistry being fed to children. ___ 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!