Mailbag Friday: Near-Death Experiences, The Rapture, and Idolizing Hobbies

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!

Segment 1 • When can we address an event without it being gossip? • As we get older, the temptations and challenges that we face change too. • We’re not gossiping about anyone - but these are warnings that apply to everyone. Segment 2 • A respected Christian author admits to an 8-year affair. How did this happen? • As we get older, we can get bogged down with fatigue and complacency. • If we grow soft and lethargic, our theology leans that way too. Segment 3 • Older Christians don’t automatically become wiser. • When leaders aren’t held accountable, they can drift in silence for years. • Isolation makes us vulnerable. If no one can speak truth and accountability into your life, you’re in danger. Segment 4 • We will not be free of temptation and sin until this life is over. • Don’t wait until it’s too late - be on the lookout for signs of “softening”. • 5 warning signs: Bible boredom, church indifference, gospel apathy, worldly comfort, and minimized sin. ___ 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!

On today’s Witness Wednesday, Dr. Greg Gifford joins Todd Friel at the University of North Georgia to field questions on faith, mental health, and therapy. Dr. Gifford brings his expertise in the field of Biblical Counseling to challenge students on their ideas about therapy and medication. Segment 1: • Todd and Greg confront the popular “Jesus and therapy” trend, urging students to consider the sufficiency of Christ alone. • Learn the critical difference between therapists who integrate worldly psychology and those who stand on Scripture. • Real hope comes when sin is called what it is: something Christ can actually set you free from. Segment 2: • Greg is asked why he didn’t address abuse and Trauma. Abuse and deep wounds deserve more than 20-minute treatments; Scripture speaks to them with care and power. • Biblical counseling doesn’t ignore pain—it applies truth to the heart and brings real healing. • Discover why people often say “I’ve read this verse 100 times, but now it hits different.” Segment 3: • A student asks, “Has Christ ever restored your hope personally?” • Todd shares his childhood anxiety and how Jesus completely redefined his fears. • Don’t underestimate the power of a local church and Scripture applied directly to your hardest questions. Segment 4: • One student wrestles with surrendering fear—and Todd & Greg dig deep. • Multiple students ask about anxiety, humility, and Bible reading. • Anxiety fades when truth replaces lies, which happens when we fill our mind with God’s word and are transformed. Don’t just check boxes; use Scripture to engage your heart and fight your sin. ___ 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 • AI toys are feeding kids dangerous ideas. • Abortion is celebrated in a book… for 5-year-olds. • COVID-era work restrictions ease. Did we learn anything? Segment 2 • Massachusetts puts limits on challenging explicit library books. • AI robot “Miko” is being pitched as a friend for your child. • Arrests and persecution arise in China. Segment 3 • NYC embraces collectivism — and forgets its history. • New mayor sworn in on the Quran; women’s rights under Islam questioned. • Odd pairings emerge as culture redefines truth vs. tradition. Segment 4 • A billboard in Times Square claims Jesus was a Palestinian. • Muslim American Heritage Month is being celebrated loudly. • You truly do learn something new every day... and not all of it’s true. ___ 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 • January 9 is the graveyard for most New Year's resolutions—will yours survive? • Don’t just read your Bible—savor it. Slow down and mine for treasure. • God’s word is an endless goldmine that you can never exhaust. Segment 2 • Even good, expository preaching can miss the point of the text. • Suffering, submission, and sanctification define the Christian life. • Show up to church expecting God to speak and change you. Segment 3 • 2025 contained so many painful losses. • Parenting - raising and training depraved sinners - is simply hard work. • Hard year or not, Christians still raise their eyes in hope. Segment 4 • 2025 headlines: SCOTUS ruled on abortion pills, the PCA named Kevin DeYoung as moderator. • The Anglican Communion appointed a lesbian archbishop, marking a significant shift. • Global persecution rose, antisemitism surged, and Christian nationalism hit new highs. ___ 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 faith feels thin and life feels pointless, how do you keep going? - Anonymous Segment 2 • Why do future pastors go to seminary instead of learning directly from a pastor? - Ashley • Is homeschooling my 10th‑grade daughter realistic—and affordable? - Michael Segment 3 • Is all of creation really about deepening the elect’s relationship with God? - Paul • After an abusive breakup, is my anxiety a warning—or just part of healing? - Anonymous • Is anointing with oil actually biblical… or just church tradition? - Gabe Segment 4 • Do some abolitionists justify inaction by assuming unsaved babies go to heaven? - Jason • Can I teach preteens well if I’m not a parent—or even experienced? - Anonymous • Is it sinful for women to evangelize men? - Joel ___ 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 Scott show that friendship can be retained through disagreements. • Sarcasm, speed, and shallow online takes destroy meaningful conversations. • The gospel must be at the front of pro-life work. Segment 2 • Atheists can follow the logic of pro-life arguments—but without God, they borrow Christian morality. • Scott sees pro-life work as a Great Commission issue, not just a cultural cause. • Gospel clarity matters: imputed righteousness vs. infused goodness makes all the difference. Segment 3 • Can Christians work with Catholics, rabbis, and others on pro-life issues without endorsing false unity? • Scott speaks at ecumenical events, but maintains theological distinctions. • Abolition vs. incrementalism isn’t a moral divide. We all want the same outcome. Segment 4 • Everyone’s an abolitionist in principle, but our political reality often forces incremental action. • True moral conviction works within constraints to save as many as possible. • Incremental efforts have saved lives, and abandoning them over idealism can cost more innocent lives. ___ 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 Scott show that friendship can be retained through disagreements. • Sarcasm, speed, and shallow online takes destroy meaningful conversations. • The gospel must be at the front of pro-life work. Segment 2 • Atheists can follow the logic of pro-life arguments—but without God, they borrow Christian morality. • Scott sees pro-life work as a Great Commission issue, not just a cultural cause. • Gospel clarity matters: imputed righteousness vs. infused goodness makes all the difference. Segment 3 • Can Christians work with Catholics, rabbis, and others on pro-life issues without endorsing false unity? • Scott speaks at ecumenical events, but maintains theological distinctions. • Abolition vs. incrementalism isn’t a moral divide. We all want the same outcome. Segment 4 • Everyone’s an abolitionist in principle, but our political reality often forces incremental action. • True moral conviction works within constraints to save as many as possible. • Incremental efforts have saved lives, and abandoning them over idealism can cost more innocent lives. ___ 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! 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!