“Why Are You A Christian?” 100 Students Answer

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Segment 1 • Can Christians participate in sports like boxing, football, and paintball, or does this mean they are thinking evil thoughts about punching, tackling, and shooting? - Andrew • Is it wrong for someone to be uncouth? For example, if someone says hello to me and I don't say anything back, is that a sin? My hyper-conscience condemns me for acts like this, but I don't want to disregard the guilt if it is from the Lord. - Phillip • I've been saved for almost 4 years now. I struggle with cussing... but in my mind only. How can I stop this? - Pearl Segment 2 • What is the difference between a Christian having a strong conscience vs a seared conscience? - Ryder Segment 3 • What is your favorite book of the Bible? - Marie Segment 4 • My wife and I go to a small church of about 30 people. Over the last few years, there have been several weddings in the church, and now almost all the church is family, including my wife and I. Is this a problem? - Anonymous • How does a Christian let shame and guilt go? When I fall into sin, I get very angry with myself because I failed. I know I'm looking at myself and my efforts, not at what Jesus has done for me, and that's the wrong way to look at it. How can I let my pride and anger go, stop focusing on my own efforts, and focus on what Jesus has done? - Ray • Since my brother got married to his pagan wife, I have no desire to speak to him. I feel as if he has spat in our faces and, more importantly, that he's spat in God's face. I am angry and hurt, but don't want to be. What do I do about my relationship with my brother? - 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 • 100 students, professing to be Christians, asked one simple question. Can they answer it? • Some share the benefits of a relationship with Christ, but miss the thrust of the gospel. • If an unbeliever heard your testimony, would it actually lead them to Christ? Segment 2 • “Jesus changed my life,” “I have purpose,” “I feel fulfilled”—are these reasons or results? • Why emotional experiences and life improvement fall short of explaining true salvation. • The uncomfortable question: have we replaced the gospel with clichés? Segment 3 • We can see what vague answers vs. crystal-clear gospel articulation actually looks like. • What must be included in a real gospel explanation—God, sin, wrath, Christ, response • Truth - not subjective results—is the true foundation of our faith. Segment 4 • There are far too many “church kids” who are unable to explain the gospel. • Are we entertaining and assimilating students instead of calling for conversion? • The deeper concern: is weak articulation connected to why so many walk away? ___ 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 on campus at The University of Georgia where he meets two students who are willing to talk about their religious beliefs. What will happen when their own conscience says “you’re guilty”? The tension builds to a sobering question you can’t dodge: if God judged you today, would you really be ready? Segment 1 • Todd meets Reese, a religion student, and asks: what’s really the difference between atheism and agnosticism? • Can all religions be true at once - or are they mutually exclusive? • The conversation pivots from intellect to conscience as Reese admits moral guilt—what happens when your own standards condemn you? Segment 2 • Todd walks Reese through the Ten Commandments, forcing a personal verdict: guilty. • Jesus is the Lamb who takes your punishment… but does Reese actually want Him? • Reese’s verdict is honest but devastating. Segment 3 • Todd meets Tyler, who admits he doesn’t know the meaning of Easter, which leads Todd to ask: How? • The gospel is explained from creation to resurrection—but Tyler resists one key issue. • Eyewitness evidence for the resurrection is introduced—would 500 witnesses willing to die change your standard for truth? Segment 4 • Tyler challenges biblical reliability with the “telephone game” critique. • What carries more weight: intellectual arguments or moral critiques of our conscience? • Todd presses the law—liar, thief, adulterer at heart—if God judges you today, would you really be ready? ___ 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 • James Talarico preaches his version of Easter. • Confusion over gender, truth, and identity - it’s not compassion, it’s rebellion. • A “Christian” argument for progressive ideology—what happens when Scripture gets reinterpreted? Segment 2 • “Jesus lost?”—a shocking claim that reframes the cross entirely • Competing atonement theories, and why it matters what we believe here • When politics hijacks the pulpit—can you spot theological drift before it spreads? Segment 3 • Love, unity, and power—is this biblical Christianity or political messaging? • Selective Scripture and cultural talking points—how subtle error reshapes truth • When Jesus becomes a “model” instead of a Savior, everything changes. Segment 4 • “Love wins” - it sounds nice, but it sneakily misses the truth of the gospel. • If our salvation is based on our good works, we’re lost. • The real issue exposed: what happens when penal substitution disappears? ___ 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 viral near-death story claims 18 days in heaven… • If someone “comes back” with a message, is it new revelation—or a subtle attack on biblical authority? • The real question is why so many are drawn to these stories of heavenly tourism. Segment 2 • The key difference between biblical visions (Isaiah, Paul, John) and modern “heaven tourism” claims • If it’s already in the Bible, why do we need the story? If it’s new… what does that imply? • A closer look at emotional, poetic testimonies that sound spiritual—but raise serious theological red flags Segment 3 • The shocking true story of a bestselling “trip to heaven” that was later admitted to be fabricated • Why these books keep selling—even after being exposed—and what that says about the audience • The deeper issue: is this curiosity… or dissatisfaction with what God has already revealed? Segment 4 • How the same appetite for “more than Scripture” leads to serious spiritual foolishness • A pastor uses Scripture to justify buying a private jet—does that argument actually hold up? • Why people keep buying in—and the sobering claim: this may not just be error… but a serious lack of spiritual fruit ___ 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 • Received an email from James, who asked the question last week concerning the difference in the Quran and the Old Testament, where God directs His people to kill those of other nations. He says he accepts your answer as a Christian, but how would you respond to an unbeliever asking the same question—someone who doesn’t believe the God of the Bible is real? — James • I’m 42 and own a pretty successful business. My wife is in real estate, and we’ve been married for over 20 years with two kids. Her income is significantly higher than mine. Am I living in sin, as the head of the household, for not being the main financial supporter? — Anonymous • My name is Mike, and I’m 10 years old. I want to do magic tricks—would that be considered sorcery or lying? — Mike • As Christians, we should be angry at sin. Should we ever be angry at sinners? — Jonathan Segment 2 • My mom is grieving my siblings’ resentment toward her. They were raised in a Bible-teaching home but now show little fruit. How can I best encourage her in her hurt? — Anonymous • I know God should be my source of rest, but how do I actually live that out day to day? What does it look like to rest in Him? — Hope Segment 3 • I feel constantly busy—ministry, work, relationships, planning ahead. How do I slow down, rest, and not just default to distractions like my phone? — Hope Segment 4 • I am from India. Can a Christian have health or term insurance, or does that show a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty? — Athul • My boss keeps calling a work report “our bible,” and it bothers me. What’s the best way to respond? — 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!

Today on Wretched Radio, we listen in to a recent breakout session from the Shepherds Conference, where Phil Johnson addresses the growing push to redefine hell. Annihilationism may sound more reasonable—even more compassionate—but does it actually align with Scripture? As Phil works through the issue, it becomes clear this isn’t just about hell—it touches sin, justice, and the gospel itself. Segment 1 • Phil Johnson explains why the fight over hell is really a fight over biblical authority. • A “nicer” version of hell is gaining traction—and it sounds appealing for a reason. • The question starts to surface: if this changes, what else starts to unravel? Segment 2 • Phil warns how social media is shaping what Christians—even you—believe about God. • “Crowdsourcing your doctrine” sounds harmless… until it leads somewhere dangerous. • A real example of how one influential voice triggered widespread theological confusion. Segment 3 • The emotional objection rises: “this doesn’t feel just”. • The discussion turns to justice—who defines it, and by what standard? • A familiar pattern emerges when hard doctrines start getting softened Segment 4 • The focus shifts to what’s at stake when hell is minimized. • One doctrinal change starts affecting everything—Scripture, justice, even the cross. • The question lingers: if punishment isn’t eternal… what exactly are you being saved from? ___ 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 hits the streets of downtown Atlanta and talks with a Hare Krishna who believes all religions lead to God—and a college student who isn’t sure what to believe. Different views, same issue. What sounds reasonable at first starts to fall apart when the questions get harder. Segment 1 • Meet Tim, a Hare Krishna devotee who says every religion works—including Christianity • Todd presses the obvious problem: if they contradict each other, how can they all be true? • The conversation turns to God—who He is… or if that idea even holds together. Segment 2 • Tim speaks highly of Jesus—but only as one option among many. • Todd brings up Jesus’ own words, and the tension gets unavoidable. • The discussion centers on whether you can accept Jesus without actually believing what He said. Segment 3 • Meet Hannah, a college student who’s “on the fence” but has plenty of objections. • Science, bad Christians, and church history all come up—but none of them settle the issue. • The conversation shifts from ideas to something more personal. Segment 4 • Hannah says she’s a good person—until that claim gets tested. • A few simple questions bring up lying, stealing, and guilt. • If we’re truly guilty before God, what’s the solution? ___ 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 • Do you challenge someone’s salvation at the end of life? • Paul Washer presses John MacArthur with a soul-check instead of comfort—was it bold faithfulness or unnecessary tension? • You’ll be in that room someday—make sure you’re ready to minister when eternity is hours away. Segment 2 • Emotional viral clips expose what actually matters—legacy, family, and relationships—not the life you’re chasing. • Culture sells nonstop self-focus, but the real “big wins” are quiet, relational, and deeply eternal. • A direct challenge: are you investing in moments that will matter on your deathbed—or just staying busy? Segment 3 • A listener wrestles with guilt: are hobbies like chess or cooking a spiritual distraction—or can they glorify God? • The dangerous lie: “If I’m not thinking about God constantly, I’m failing spiritually.” • The freeing framework: how to connect your faith to everything without turning life into forced religious activity. Segment 4 • Canada’s euthanasia surge exposes how language (“medical assistance”) masks moral collapse. • A seminary invites a radical speaker supporting violence. • From politics to podcasts (including Joe Rogan), one question emerges: can simple behavior change the world… without true conversion? ___ 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 are evangelicals so divided over modern-day Israel? Todd Friel and Albert Mohler break down the debate. • Tucker Carlson presses hard: Does Ted Cruz actually know what the Bible says about Israel—or are Christians misusing Genesis? • Is the promise in the Book of Genesis about the Jewish people… or today’s political nation of Israel? Segment 2 • Are Christians biblically required to support modern Israel—or is that an oversimplification many believers repeat without thinking? • A crucial distinction most Christians miss: biblical Israel vs. the modern nation-state founded in 1948. • The deeper issue: if God made covenant promises to Israel, can those promises ever be cancelled—or transferred to the church? Segment 3 • Carlson’s challenge: How do we even know who today’s Jewish people are after centuries of dispersion? • Mohler responds with a surprising argument about anti-Semitism. • A prophetic twist emerges—Scripture points toward a massive future turning of Jewish people to Christ. Segment 4 • Does God’s land promise stretch from the Nile to the Euphrates—and should Israel control it today? • Mohler explains the theological tension Christians already understand: the “already vs. not yet” of God’s promises. • A warning for believers: casual hostility toward Israel may reveal a dangerous misunderstanding of God’s covenant faithfulness. ___ 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!