Mailbag Friday: Messianic Dating + Submission & Debt + Missing Joy

Summary

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Wretched Radio Mailbag Friday: Messianic Dating, Submission & Debt, and Missing Joy

Podcast: Wretched Radio with Todd Friel
Date: June 12, 2026
Host: Todd Friel (with producer Jimmy Hicks and co-host)
Episode Theme:
A lively Q&A episode tackling listener questions about dating across theological backgrounds, marriage struggles—especially regarding biblical submission and financial irresponsibility—and finding joy amidst medication side effects, all with Todd Friel’s signature blend of pastoral care, theological rigor, and dry humor.

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Episode Overview

On this Mailbag Friday, Todd Friel and his team dive into challenging practical questions from listeners, centered around living out biblical truth in messy real-life situations:

• Discerning the theology and practices in Messianic Jewish dating
• Navigating whether and how to leave a less-than-ideal church
• Biblical submission in marriage when there is financial dysfunction
• How illness or medication affects one’s spiritual joy and assurance
• Miscellaneous topics: Bible quizzing, slothfulness vs. incapacitation, church etiquette for disabilities

Friel responds with keen theological insight, compassion for struggle, and an insistence on biblical sufficiency—infused with his characteristic wit.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Messianic Jewish Dating: What Should I Ask?

[01:23 - 03:11]
Listener Jonathan asks about dating a Messianic Jew who believes in Jesus (Yeshua) but keeps Jewish traditions.

• Friel’s Main Point:
  Examine whether grace is mingled with works. Almost all Messianic Jewish groups, in his experience, tend to add works (law observance) to grace.
• Key Questions to Ask:
  • “Why do you keep the festivals if they’re fulfilled in Jesus?”
  • “Why do you insist on calling Jesus ‘Yeshua’? Does it reflect a theological difference?”
  • “Do you believe in grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—no works added?”
• Potential for Obfuscation:
  “You're going to have to ask from different angles because they might be deflective on it.”
  — Todd Friel [02:23]
• Practical Advice:
  Ensure the individual is clear about the sufficiency of Christ for salvation and not adding any legalistic requirements.

Memorable Quote:

“I have not yet met one [Messianic Jew] who believes in grace alone, faith alone, and Christ alone.”
— Todd Friel [02:11]

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2. Experiences with the Hebrew Roots/Messianic Movement

[03:13 - 04:27]

• Personal Encounter:
  Friel recounts meeting a couple excited that he mentioned “our Hebrew roots” on air. They later shifted to denying Jesus as Messiah.
• Warning:
  Subjective story, but a caution: initial openness to legalistic “roots” teaching can sometimes lead away from the sufficiency of Christ.

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3. Should I Leave My Church? (Preaching & Worship Concerns)

[04:27 - 10:29]
Ryan asks about leaving a church with showy music, non-exegetical preaching, and little substance.

• Discernment Factors:
  • Is heresy being preached? If so, clearer reason to leave.
  • Are the elders godly and leading towards loving Jesus?
  • Are children being faithfully taught?
  • Are there alternative churches within reasonable distance?
• On Preferences vs. Principles:
  Preferences (music, lighting, sermon style) alone are not strong reasons; it’s about spiritual substance.
• Advice:
  “Pray for all the people in your church directory. When you’re done, see if you still feel like leaving—because you’re leaving your family.”
  — Todd Friel [07:30]
• Process:
  Leave slowly, thoughtfully, prayerfully, and with wise counsel from others.
• Extra Resource:
  “Go search ‘Wretched when to leave a church’ on YouTube... there are several videos, including my 25-minute interview with Mike Fabares.”
  — Jimmy Hicks [10:00]

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4. Wife’s Biblical Submission vs. Husband’s Financial Foolishness

[10:29 - 25:59, main answer from 16:29]

The Question—Summarized:

How should a wife submit biblically to a husband "foolish with finances" (high earner, but tens of thousands in debt, spending irresponsibly)?

Friel’s Framework:

• Church’s Philosophy Is Critical:
  “Every church should be aware of their philosophy of how they treat women and how they protect women.” [17:07]
• Not Blind Submission:
  The command for submission is not a license for abandonment by the church or for enduring abuse, financial or otherwise.
• Covenant Realities:
  “If she is a believing member of your church, you’re her brother, she’s your sister. That union...is even closer than the covenantal marriage union.” [17:36]
• Elders’ Role:
  Engage elders if there’s real endangerment.
• Balance:
  “Yes, she needs to submit. No, we’re not going to let her be abused.” [24:01]
• Practical Church Steps:
  • Gently approach the husband for reconciliation and wise counsel.
  • In cases of danger (including severe neglect, abuse), the church must be willing to step in.
  • “We protect women, even sometimes from their husbands.” [18:59]
• Philosophy of Protection:
  Don’t be passive: “Too many churches throw women back into the lion’s den and wish them well.” [23:31]

Memorable Quotes:

“We care about both parties, but we’re not going to be sissies and sit on the sideline... we protect women, even sometimes from their husbands.”
— Todd Friel [18:59]

“Will a woman grow in that (difficult marriage)? Does she still need to submit in that? As long as he’s not calling her to sin or forbidding her from obeying a command? No, that still has to continue. But this is not an either/or proposition. It is both/and.”
— Todd Friel [24:01]

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5. Is My Debilitating Illness Just Sloth?

[32:59 - 40:31]

Listener Tom asks if his inability to work or maintain his home, due to debilitating pain, makes him a biblical sluggard as condemned in Proverbs.

• Friel’s Clarification:
  • Proverbs give general principles, not legalistic, rigid commands.
  • God’s commands do not suppress human value or flourishing; exceptions are allowed for real incapacity.
  • Key difference: “The proverbs warn of the slothful person...because it's a lazy attitude...But if your desire is to be productive and you physically can’t, that proverb simply doesn’t apply to you.” [37:49]
  • Use the example of a stranded farmer missing church, or a woman in labor.
• The Church’s Duty:
  The local church is called to help those in health crisis.
• Accepting Help:
  “[You] are robbing them of a blessing to be able to serve a brother who is in debilitating pain. That should be a joy.” [38:59]
• Encouragement:
  Accept help and allow the body of Christ to serve.

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6. Missing Joy Due to Medication—Am I Still Saved?

[46:10 - 47:51]
Joe, with epilepsy, asks if his medication’s side effects (emotionally "flat," no joy) mean he is not saved.

• Friel’s Pastoral Care:
  • If the drug’s side effects are physiologically flattening emotions, that is not a spiritual failure.
  • Joy is not always a felt emotional state, especially due to medication. Salvation is not dependent on emotional register.
• On Guilt:
  “The last thing it means is that you’re not saved. It means a medicine is having a side effect. No more, no less.”
  — Todd Friel [47:44]
• Medical Decision-Making:
  Should be made thoughtfully, with one’s elders and family.

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7. Bonus Q&As—Noteworthy Topics

Bible Quizzing: Is It Wrong to Make the Bible a ‘Sport’?

[47:51 - 51:34]

• If it encourages learning, does not trivialize Scripture, and isn’t about gambling or money, it’s fine.
• “If you can do it sober-mindedly, remembering you’re dealing with God’s Word here... I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Bible quizzing.” [48:18]

Churches Asking Those with Tourette’s to Leave the Sanctuary?

[53:26 - 54:18]

• It’s a balance, like with children who cry; patience and courtesy on both sides.
• “Together, as a church, you make that decision lovingly, and you’ll all grow because of it.” [54:12]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Friel on Slow Church Departure:
  “You should be like Paul on the dock with the Ephesian elders, just weeping over one another.”
• On protecting women:
  "We’re not looking for a fight... but we’re not going to be sissies and sit on the sideline."
• Pastorally on illness and sloth:
  “If your desire is to be diligent, but you simply physically can't... that proverb doesn't apply to you.”
• Self-deprecating humor (Lifesaver anecdote):
  “When I preach, it's like being at a Gallagher concert.”

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Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Messianic Dating: Key Questions, Grace vs. Works | 01:23–03:11 | | Friel’s experience with Hebrew Roots Movement | 03:13–04:27 | | Leaving a church: substance vs. preference | 04:27–10:29 | | Submission & Debt: Protecting women, elder wisdom | 10:29–25:59 | | Sloth vs. True Incapacity (Debilitating Illness) | 32:59–40:31 | | Missing Joy & Medications—Am I Saved? | 46:10–47:51 | | Bible Quizzing, Reverence, Biblical Counseling | 47:51–51:34 | | Handling Disruptions, Disabilities in Church | 53:26–54:18 |

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Tone and Takeaways

Todd Friel addresses hard questions with:

• Strong theological foundation (grace alone, sufficiency of Scripture)
• Pastoral concern and affection
• A push for meaningful church community and mutual care
• Undercurrent of humor and real-life relatability

His counsel is always to check human wisdom against Scripture, value relationships in the church family, and approach all things in humility and prayer.

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For further resources:

• “Wretched when to leave a church” (YouTube channel)
• Mike Fabares and Phil Johnson interviews (church matters)
• Rose Publications chart on End Times views
• Fortis Plus app for resources on grief, manhood, biblical counseling, etc.

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Listen if you:

• Wrestle with dating across doctrinal boundaries
• Face marriage/financial struggles and wonder about submission
• Battle chronic illness or emotional numbness from medication
• Value practical, biblically grounded, sometimes laugh-out-loud discussion of pressing Christian life questions

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Transcript

[Todd Friel]

Wretched radio begins in 3, 2, 1.

[Jimmy Hicks]

We've had 35 resurrections of the dead. The closer they are to freshly dead, the easier they are to resurrect.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

So I see this giant angel, and I asked him his name. It's a financial company, and I realized this angel is here for our finances.

[Jimmy Hicks]

And that's a true, literal story, by the way. These people are charlatans. And it's about time we draw a line in the sand and stop fraternizing with the wolves.

[Todd Friel]

It's time for Wretched Radio with Todd Friel.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Go.

[Todd Friel]

It's the Wretched Radio Mail call, delivery bag, Q and A infotainment nationwide extravaganza featuring your voicemails, correspondences, communiques, dispatches, memorandums and missives.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Any special message for all the kids watching at home? What we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. You have 1200 messages.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

That is a bit above average.

[Todd Friel]

Now, here's your host, Todd Freakishly tall.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Friel Deville is here. Ooh. This is Wretched Ra. Longing. That's right. We're downright longing for you to send wretched stuff. Where to ideaetched.org if you have a question, comment, conundrum, or snark. We long to hear it texted to. Well, I guess we can't hear it texted. The point is, you can send whatever is on your mind to 877-282-2337.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

All right, this first question is from Jonathan Todd. What questions should I be asking if I'm interested in dating a girl who's a Messianic Jew? She states that she believes in Yeshua Jesus, but they obviously observe Jewish traditions culturally.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Yeah, you gotta be asking a lot of questions because this is my experience, so it must be right. Because all of our experiences are absolutely authoritative. At least that's what Oprah says. What should you be looking for? You should be looking for, in my estimation, the first. First Messianic Jew that does not blend grace and works. Every single Messianic Jewish organization or group or author that I've read online always mingles, works with grace. That is the primary thing that you must be looking for. Furthermore, you could find a. You could out why by asking, why do you continue to do the festivals? They've been fulfilled in Jesus. They all pointed to him. Furthermore, why do you have to call him Yeshua? Why is that somehow better than Jesus? Those are questions that you can be asking the messianic Jewish person, because I have not yet met one who believes in grace alone, faith alone. And Christ alone. And you're going to have to ask from different angles because they might be deflective on it. They might try to position it in a way where it's kind of close, but not sort of make sure that this individual believes that there is no other way to heaven except through Jesus. 877-282-2337.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

This is a question from Ryan Todd. An issue with my church.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Okay, Jimmy, I was just reminded of this.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Okay.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Years ago. And I mean, it had to been over 20 years ago. I believe I was on KTIS before they terminated my employment, which sounds so much better than fired, doesn't it? So before they axed me, I had mentioned something on the air about our Hebrew roots. And at the time, I didn't know that Hebrew roots was like code. You know, Hebrew roots, but code. And a young couple approached me and they wanted to meet with me to talk about what I had said. They were so excited that I was beginning to understand our Hebrew roots. Well, I was understanding Hebrew roots a little differently than they were understanding it because they were of the Messianic Jewish movement. And they tried to persuade me that that's the way to go. And it parted friendly. A few years later, received an email from this individual who is now studying to be a rabbi in Israel, and he was writing to persuade me to reject Jesus as the Messiah.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Wow.

[Jimmy Hicks]

That was my experience. Yes. Subjective, nevertheless. 877-282-2337.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

All right. So this question from Ryan Todd. There's an issue with my church. I want your help with one. The music is kind of showy. They use elevation and hillsong, and there aren't a whole lot of hymns. The lights are down low, and that kind of thing. But the bigger issue for me is the preaching. Even though we go through books of the Bible, it's not really exegetical most of the time. It usually takes one thing from the section we're in and turns it into more of sermon. The main portion of the sermon isn't explaining the text, but explaining his point and giving application. What are your thoughts about whether or not that's a reason to leave the church?

[Jimmy Hicks]

It has to be weighed with a bunch of other issues, because if heresy isn't being proclaimed, then the bar gets a little bit higher if the guy's preaching heresy or you never hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, or if the sermons are so a Christian that a Jewish, that somebody from a messianic Jewish movement could be perfectly satisfied with the preaching. Okay, that's getting really clear. But if it's just that it's more topical, it's kind of lightweight, they sing the music that you and I don't prefer, and they do tricks and tactics like dimming the lights. There would have to be more considered. For instance, are they, as elders, godly, leading the church to understand God better and love Jesus more? Are they at least aimed in that direction? Because if they are, well, then the bar just got a little higher. If they're not, well, then you can check that one and go, all right, let's take a look and see what else is going on here. What about your kids? Do you have children? Are they learning? Your primary responsibility is to make sure, dad, as the spiritual leader of the house, that your kids are being fed and nurtured. My guess would be, if that is what you're experiencing in the adult church, what they're getting down the hall in kids church is probably even more watered down. Your responsibility is to make sure that they know the Bible, that they have memorized scripture, and that they understand the gospel thoroughly. And if that's not happening at the church, okay, well, now you've got a pretty substantial reason to consider looking elsewhere. Another consideration. You got options. I don't know where you live. And if that is the absolute best church you got within reasonable driving distance, you might have to stay there. This one gets a little trickier to weigh, because being near to a church so that you can be engaged in the life of a church is so important. Now, it's simultaneously important that you're getting fed and your kids are getting fed, but if it's so far away that you're only going to go on Sunday morning, so you're going to have to weigh that along with the other considerations and then make a decision. Because there can be times to leave a church. But before you do weigh all of these issues, here's something I recall Tim Challley's recommending before you leave church. I think it's called Breeze. It's an online thing that churches have where you can put up your picture and your name, contact information so that we can familiarize ourselves with one another. Go to Breeze or go to your church directory, if they still have such a thing, and just start looking through the faces you recognize and pray for them. All of them. Pray for them. And then when you're done with that, see if you still feel like leaving because you're leaving your family. And that's a big deal. Not saying you can never go. But there can be times, there can be circumstances where you can leave even a church that is not heretical. But do it slowly, do it thoughtfully, do it prayerfully, and do it with others involved that can ask you more questions because you will benefit from a multitude of counselors. Jimmy, you got anything else to add to that? Oh, I do. I know.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Okay, go ahead.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Didn't we. Well, did you ever cut up those interviews that I did with Mike Febaros on when to leave a church? Because if not, they're on our way. They're at Fortis plus. If you. If you go search, it's all free. Go searching for Mike Fabares, not John. That's the. That's the son. Go looking for Mike Fabaras. We spent time at least. Oh, it could have been one or two shows perhaps on when to leave a church and when not to leave a church. Furthermore, you can look in the archives. I know Phil Johnson and I have had this conversation a lot of times. So you might find some of those longer form explorations of when to go and when not to go to our YouTube channel. Or just type in wretched when to leave a church. Jimmy, would you do that right now? Go to the YouTube machine. Wretched when to leave a church. I'm going to guess maybe six videos will pop up and you can go avail yourself of those because you want to be slow in leaving a church, especially one that is not exhibiting anything heretical. They're your fam and it should hurt to leave. You should be like Paul on the dock with the Ephesian elders, just weeping over one another. You can, but you got to be slow and thoughtful. How many popped up? Or did you get that wretched movie thing that's.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Well, yeah.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Scary looking.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

So I've got the first one that pops up is Mike. Your 25 minute interview with you and Mike Ferbaros about that. Yeah, that's the first one that pops up. And then there are. Yeah, there are several.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Six. I want to win the wretched lottery.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Okay, I'm sorry. 1, 2, 3, 4. There's a conversation with you at Bill Johnson.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Come on.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Six.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Yes.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Yeah, it's sick. You're right.

[Jimmy Hicks]

You're done. No more. It can't be more. 6. Is it? I win the showcase. I win both showcases. 8. 7. 7. 2. 8. 2, 2, 3, 3. 7.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Todd, how does a wife biblically submit to a husband who has proven himself foolish with finances?

[Jimmy Hicks]

That's hard. Yeah, that's hard. You can do it because the Lord will be your strength. And if he's going to behave fair, foolishly, you can be his counselor. You can give him wisdom as much as you possibly can if it gets to the point where it is causing danger for you and the kids. Engage your elders. Get them involved. A church, I think, has one, but they're probably not cognizant of what it is. Every church should have a philosophy about their attitude toward women and their husbands because that philosophical position, hopefully built on the Bible, will make all the difference in the world as to how you answer a question like this, which we will do next on Wretched Radio.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Hey, thanks for listening to Wretched Radio today. Now be honest with me for a second. Is your marriage thriving or is it just surviving? Are you and your spouse building something together or are you just really trying to get through another week without another major blowup? And Fortis Institute fellow pastor Brad Bigny hosts a podcast called Thrive. And that's exactly what it's all about, what it looks like for marriages and families to actually flourish instead of just holding it all together. Brad is a pastor, he's a certified Biblical counselor and as I said, a Fortis Institute fellow. And he brings decades of experience to helping real couples work through the real stuff. And this is the kind of Christ centered content that we're producing every single day here at Fortis Institute. And it's only made possible because of our gospel partners. And if our ministry has helped you in any type of way, we would love it if you would prayerfully consider joining us as an ongoing monthly gospel partner. Help us reach more families with the truth of God's word. You can find out how right [e-mail] Wretched Amazing Grace, Amazing Gospel Perhaps you've

[Jimmy Hicks]

been wondering, is there a Christian university that isn't woke up or that hasn't compromised on important biblical doctrines like, you know, the age of the earth? There is. It's the Master's University in Southern California. Beautiful campus, all of the athletics and activities that you've come to expect from universities. But it's more than that. The academic programs are most excellent. Preparing students for for the future. The Washington Post just said number six for preparing students for the real world. All that plus the Master's University isn't woke and it is thoroughly biblical. Would you like to learn more? I encourage you to visit the Master's University at Masters. Edu Wretchedmasters. Edu Wretched.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

You know, we've raised a generation of kids who can sing every word about Jesus, but they still can't say why the Bible is true and the world. Well, they've earned that because they've spent years teaching our children that truth bends and that science outgrew God. And the reasons are there. Logic, morality, the very laws that make science work. And every single one of them points back to a creator. And when you give kids that, faith stops being something they hope is true and become something they know is true. And it also spreads because they share it clearer with everyone around them. That's exactly what the series Irrefutable Proof of creation with Dr. Jason Lyle was built for. It's a biblical formation for a generation that needs answers. They need real ground to stand on, not just a good feeling. And that's what Dr. Lyle is doing. New episodes of Irrefutable Proof of Creation streaming right now and dropping weekly on Fortis Plus. You can download the app on your smartphone, your smart TV, or simply go to fortisplus.org.

[Todd Friel]

Books of the Bible Colossians was written by Paul to combat false teaching which taught adherence to dietary laws and religious festivals and claimed special knowledge received through visions. Paul argues that Christ's sacrifice and revelation are sufficient for salvation. When you are tempted to add to the gospel, remember, Jesus is sufficient and you can trust in him. This is Wretched Radio with Todd Friel.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Alrighty, then. Welcome back to Wretched Radio. I was. I had a lifesaver stuck in the side. I didn't even know it was there.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I didn't notice.

[Jimmy Hicks]

And I thought you didn't.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I didn't see.

[Jimmy Hicks]

I can tell. I. I can tell. If ever I put, like, a cough drop in my mouth, it's like, I can tell. So I knew, and I just was afraid that I was exhibiting some bad manners. But. But it's the tropical fruit. Oh, Matt's got a big bowl of them. He keeps that thing stock. And the green ones are not popular, by the way.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

They're my favorite.

[Jimmy Hicks]

What are they? They're green.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

They're watermelon.

[Jimmy Hicks]

They can't be watermelon.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

They are watermelon.

[Jimmy Hicks]

I can prove they're not watermelon. Do you ever eat watermelon?

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I do eat watermelon.

[Jimmy Hicks]

And what color is the part of the watermelon you eat?

[Show Producer or Co-host]

It's not green.

[Jimmy Hicks]

It's red. What is the part. The color of the watermelon you don't eat?

[Show Producer or Co-host]

It's. That's green.

[Jimmy Hicks]

That's my point. It can't be watermelon. It's pretty good. They're pretty good. But clearly the vote is in. They're not as popular.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Oh, they're my favorite.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Now. The White ones, The whitish yellow ones, I think they're pineapple.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

No, those are good.

[Jimmy Hicks]

They're the king right there. And that's the one that I had in the side of my mouth. So I apologize for being rude. 877-282-2337 is the address where you can text. Did this come in via text or email?

[Show Producer or Co-host]

It was a text.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Kindly reread it because this is a situation that might not seem relevant to you, but it is.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Yep.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Because this is a church issue.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

So it's from Anonymous, and I'll read the whole question. How does a wife biblically submit to a husband who has proven himself foolish with finances? He earns a high salary, but we are tens of thousands of dollars in debt while he keeps traveling, taking vacations, and frequently buying toys and gifts for the kids.

[Jimmy Hicks]

He's taking vacations?

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Yeah.

[Jimmy Hicks]

What about her? That was one that was a bit of a mystery.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

So I was wondering if this was the actual wife that was asking or a friend.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Okay. Philosophy of a church regarding women is so important to establish. Well, let me put it this way. Every church should be aware of their philosophy of how they treat women and how they protect women. Because every church does have, if you will, a philosophical position. They're probably not cognizant of what it is. They just kind of deal with stuff when it happens. No. Where do the men of the church stand when it comes to a woman who is struggling with her husband, whether it is a believer or not? Now, on one end of the spectrum, here's what you've got, and we've seen this. And while I appreciate the desire to really adhere to what the Bible says about submission for women, I don't think that it is balanced correctly. Here's the far end of the scale of philosophies. Well, the Bible says submit. So get back in there and submit. We've seen that, haven't we? Even when a husband is not only being a financially poor steward, he's not stewarding the marriage well, and he's downright nasty. Well, the Lord will grow you through this. Is that true? Yes, it is. But should that be the totality of the posture of the elders? I don't think so. I don't think it's balanced. And here's why. This is a relational issue. In my estimation, the husband and wife, they have a deep, profound, covenantal union. Do you know, it's a deeper, more. No, I'm assuming, by the way, that the husband isn't saved. Do you know what a deeper, more profound Covenantal union is in Christ. If she is a believing member of your church, you're her brother. She's your sister. And that union, because it's in Christ, is even closer than the covenantal marriage union. And that means we got something at stake here that is our sister. Now, does that mean we go sticking our nose into their marriage? As a rule, no. But I would say that it's a rule that has exceptions because there can be times when the men of the congregation need to, for the sake of the woman. If it's safety, if it's mistreatment, if it is a husband who has abandoned the marriage, even if he's still living inside of the same house where they have, I believe, the responsibility to help their sister. Now, we could spend a day talking about what that looks like with an unbelieving husband. We don't go in, bow up, and tell him to knock it up, because the men of the church are going to deal with you. No, that's not how we behave. But we behave like men. And we sit with him to say, we care for your marriage. We want it to thrive. We know you're not a member of this church, but we truly want good for you. It is our understanding right now that things inside of your marriage aren't good. How can we help? Because we're committed to our sister and we want her to thrive and have a good. We want that for you, too. But please know the men of the church, we care for your wife, and we're going to do everything that we can to help this marriage be a success. What do we need to do now? Of course, you got to dive into his side of the story. This is an oversimplification, but to sit down with the fellow to say, look, you need to understand we're not your enemy, but we do care so much about your wife. We're willing to go to bat for her and we'll protect her. And if push came to shove, we're blocking. That punch will remove her from the setting that is dangerous for her because we have an in Christ union with her. Again, I'm dramatizing this. It needs to be thought out in an orderly fashion. But I think my points are pretty clear. It's not just, well, you go submit. Good luck. Let us know how we can help. No, she needs to know. I think the women of the congregation need to know. Not just the elders, but all of the men of the congregation have a woman's back. Does this mean that we believe everything that a woman says about a Husband. No. That's why we do get the other side of the story. But in the situation, I hope, I would hope in a church, if a woman were being physically abused, she shows up to church and she's got a shiner. What would the men of your church do? What would they do? Did you see that shiner? Oh, look at the line at Cracker Barrel. I told you we should have gone to the International House of Pancakes. I hope that they would see, then go. We got to deal with this. This is what happened here, Sister. What, What's. What's going on? Because we need to protect you. That should just be immediate. Now, I hope that that would also happen if he's being abusive in any other way, including emotionally abusive. Now, you got to define what that means. We've talked about that here before, but it's too often. It's like, you know, he. Sometimes when I. When I. I've asked him to put the. The laundry into the dryer, he doesn't do it. I just can't live with this anymore. Okay. We need to dive into what really constitutes emotional abuse. But if there is emotional abuse, we need to be willing to step in. There's a lot of jerks out there. And the men of the congregation, I believe, philosophically, we're not looking for a fight. We're not looking to be tough guys. We care about both parties, but we're not going to be sissies and sit on the sideline. We protect women, even sometimes from their husbands. What is your philosophy of how you treat women at your church? Most people don't think it through. They, they, they, they. They don't. They don't ponder what their position is. And that means anytime they get into one of these situations, oh, it becomes like a big thing, and there's all kinds of meetings, and we got to discuss and the nuances. And what if we have a philosophy of how your men in your church are to treat, defend, protect, help women that even aren't their wives? Because I believe we're called to that. I don't think protection of women is. Is relegated just to the realm of spouse. I think it's all women. That's. That's what it means to be chivalrous. And I want to make this clear. This is not to go in and be tough guys with a. With a negligent husband. We want to show him care, too, because we do want it. We don't want it to be broken up. We want it to be. To be successful. But if it means having to Say to a man who is giving his wife a black eye, sir, we are not going to put up with this. We're taking her away to protect her from you. You can expect a visit from the police because they're going to be dealing with you because what you've done is criminal. And the men of this church, we don't play. That sometimes needs to be said. Not. Not often, but sometimes. This is not. This is not a part of the macho Christian movement that seems to be growing these days in America. But I think we do need a bit of a recalibration because I've seen too many churches throw women back into the lion's den and wish them well. And frequently it doesn't turn out well. Real good. Now, will a. Will a woman grow in that? Does she still need to submit in that? As long as he's not calling her to sin or forbidding her from obeying a command, no, that still has to continue. But this is not an either or proposition. It is both. And yes, she needs to submit. No, we're not going to let her be abused. What about with finances? I believe that that would. That would warrant an initial, gentler approach. We've heard your wife has confided in us some issues about finances. We'd like to help. We understand it's causing some marital strain. How can we get engaged in this? Because if the kids are being. If the pantry is bare, that's another opportunity for the men to step up, because we might have to step up financially ourselves to take care of her. All that to say, what is your church's philosophy when it comes to protecting women? This is wretched radio.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

And it's now time for your daily Fortis News Breaker production of Fortis Institute. The Los Angeles Dodgers held their LGBT Pride night last week, and every player but one wore a cap stitched with a rainbow team logo. Of all 30 major league teams, only the Texas Rangers are skipping Pride Night this year. They'll hold a Faith and Family Day instead. Out at New York, the City Council decided a ball game wasn't enough to open Pride Month. Members hosted the chamber's first ever Pride Ball, turning the room where the city's laws are written into a stage for male dancers performing as women on the taxpayers dying. This is less a New York problem than a movement that keeps confusing government buildings for nightclubs. And it isn't the only secular world losing the thread that Presbyterian Church usa, the mainline denomination, will vote this summer in Milwaukee on a rule requiring its clergy to be monogamous that sounds unremarkable on the surface until you remember this is the church that began ordaining openly gay clergy in 2011 and redefined marriage as two people in 2014. Now its own progressive committees are objecting that asking a pastor to keep one spouse reinforces white privilege when a church has to to debate whether monogamy is racist, the wheels came off a long time ago. Speaking of groups that love policing everyone else's morality, the Southern Poverty Law center now faces a superseding federal indictment. For years, it has raised money by branding mainstream Christian ministries hate groups. Prosecutors say it then quietly funneled about $4 million of that donor cash to the very extremists it claims to fight, including the kkk, even even paying undercover sources to buy materials for cross burnings. Hate, it turns out, is a lot easier to fight when you're secretly bankrolling it. And that theme of money landing exactly where it shouldn't carry, straight over to New Jersey, where the governor just approved another 12 million taxpayer dollars to cover the legal fees of illegal immigrants fighting deportation. That's on top of 8 million already committed. Pushing the state past $20 million spent to help help people who broke federal law, Elon Musk named the obvious problem one state is now spending public money to undercut the nation's own laws. And we'll close with better news from the Pentagon, which cut its list of recognized faith categories from more than 200 down to 31, dropping roughly 180 labels, among them paganism and a parade of new age entries, 21 of the 31 that remain are Christian. Secretary Pete Hegseth also ordered chaplains to wear their religious insignia rather than their rank, saying a chaplain is first, a chaplain and an officer second. Amen. After years of treating chaplains like they're in house therapists, that's a welcome return to what the job was always for. That wraps up today's Fortis news break. I'm Jimmy Hicks. If you want more, you can download Fortis or sign up to become a Fortis Insider for exclusive daily content. Both can be [e-mail] and don't forget, you can subscribe subscribe to Fortis News on your favorite podcast app in order to get these updates daily. And until tomorrow. Go serve your king.

[Todd Friel]

Know your church fathers. Gregory of Nyssa was an opponent of Arianism at the Council of Constantinople in 381. He wrote a book called Not Three Gods, explaining the There is one God in three persons. Each member of the Trinity is fully God with all the divine attributes, yet each member of the Trinity is a distinct person. This is Wretched Radio with Todd Friel.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Hello. Welcome back, Wretched.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

You okay?

[Jimmy Hicks]

I'll make it.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

You look sad. What's wrong?

[Jimmy Hicks]

I'll be fine. But that's a little bit ironic coming from you making fun of my salivary glands that they're overactive because I spit all over the place when I pretty much move my lips. Didn't have to bring that up, pally boy. And now you're asking how I'm feeling. Welcome back to Wretched Radio. If you have a question, comment, conundrum, or snark. So I spit a lot. Okay. And just because the lifesaver. I'm actually drooling right now. I had a purple one during the break. The purple one just makes my mouth explode. It's like I've got a fire hose inside of my mouth. You didn't have to make fun of it.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I'm sorry.

[Jimmy Hicks]

You want to hear something gross? You're gonna.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

We haven't already.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Oh, wow. Bless somebody's heart. I actually have a timer on my desk so that I know that it's my clock, basically. And so, like any clock, it's got some sort of plastic covering. It gets to the point after a few weeks, I can't see the numbers anymore. It's that covered. That's all I'm saying. But I'll get over it. 8, 7, 7, 2, 8, 2, 2, 3, 3, 7. You didn't catch this? This was actually yesterday. I was standing here and I thought for sure you saw me. I was literally standing here, and I drooled on the carpet. Right there, right there. Just for no reason whatsoever. Just drool.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

What does your pillow look like when you wake up?

[Jimmy Hicks]

You know, that's not an issue, is it not mercifully, that is not an issue.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Wow.

[Jimmy Hicks]

It's actually when I'm amb. Until when I'm awake, I'm just.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Which one's worse?

[Jimmy Hicks]

Talking my computer screens. Oh, I have to wash it off after every zoom call. That's all I'm saying. 8, 7, 7, 2. 8, 2, 2, 3, 3, 7. You know, Jimmy, I don't bring up the fact that you get a haircut every 25 minutes.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I'm sorry. Do you guys at Alpharetta Bible Church have a splash zone?

[Jimmy Hicks]

No, but it's funny that you mentioned this. I was watching a TV pro. I don't know who I was watching. I like to watch. There's a particular Christian channel. I think it's channel 57 in Atlant. I'm telling you. Wow, they've got everybody on there. They've got, you know, like a decent guy here or there. But then they got Joseph Prince, whose face, I'm telling you, if somebody like touched that thing with a sharp object, it would just explode. It's so tight, you got all these different preachers on. And there was this guy, it was at a big mega church and it was a sound guy, but I noticed it looked like it sat like 5,000 people. Huge. And between the pulpit on the platform there were stairs. And it must have been, I kid you not, before the first row, about 20, 25ft. And I thought, what is that for? And then I remembered my salivary issues. The guy must have a spitting problem.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

In a place that big, we got

[Jimmy Hicks]

to protect the people in the front

[Show Producer or Co-host]

row, I guess so.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Otherwise we got to put the preacher behind the Plexiglas like, like bulletproof glass. But it's spit proof glass is what you'd have to do. So I suddenly saw the wisdom in and I thought, well, when ABC goes to build a church 25ft between the pulpit and the first, because we care.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

That's right.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Let me tell you, when I preach, it's like being at a Gallagher concert is what it's like. You didn't get that reference? 877-282-2337.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

All right. This is a question from Tom Todd. My wife and I were reading Proverbs 18:9, which says, he who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. I suffer from a debilitating and painful affliction that makes it nearly impossible for me to hold down a job. Most days involve me lying in the dark with an ice pack, crying from the pain. I have an ever growing list of things to do around my house and I feel terrible that they're piling up. Am I a sluggard? Am I a slothful man that the scripture talks about?

[Jimmy Hicks]

Oh, brother. I didn't mean like oh brother. I mean oh brother, that ongoing pain, that persistent pain. It is so exhausting and it is so debilitating. If you are sidelined because of a malady and it's your desire to be diligent, but you simply physically can't. The proverbs, first of all, are not ironclad promises. They are general principles. If you basically this, then basically that furthermore, the laws and the commandments, anytime that the law or the commandment, it suppresses human value or human flourishing, it can be Adjusted. Let me cite a verse for you before you think that I'm just going, wait, I can throw out the Bible because of circumstances. That seems a little pragmatic. No. If you had an animal in a ditch, said Jesus, wouldn't you get him out on the Sabbath? Wouldn't you do that work on the Sabbath to get him out? In other words, sometimes practically, you just do what you've got to do. Now the command is that we Christians are hard workers. And the proverbs warn of the slothful person, a little sleep, a little slumber, a little twiddling of the thumbs on the chest. We are like we should look at the ant because we are being sluggards. It's because it's a lazy attitude. That's first of all what is being addressed there, manifested in a lack of productivity. But if your desire is to be productive but you physically can't, well, that proverb simply doesn't apply to you. The Bible has room for those types of things. For instance, do not forsake the assembling of the saints. All right, could use an extreme example. The woman is on the way to church, she's nine months pregnant and the water breaks. She doesn't go to church because she has to go to the emergency room to deliver a baby. Sinning? No, of course not. How's about in the old days? Do not forsake the assembling of the saints. A farmer in the middle of his field, in the middle of nowhere, can't get his wagon or his horse through the snow to get to church and it doesn't melt for three months. Is he neglecting the assembling of the saints? No, he's not sinning. He can't get there. This isn't to relegate commandments into the heap of, of just what's convenient for us. If it's genuine, if it's a genuine, real circumstance. And you simply cannot do the things that God has called you to do to take care of your house, to go to work, make money, all of those things, because you can't. You're not sinning, brother. Furthermore, the church for you needs to be stepping in and stepping up. This is the church. And so I hope you're a member of a good Bible teaching church. Let them know your needs, let them exercise their spiritual gift and take care of you. Now, I know these days, I don't know, there's some year it's going to happen where I can't put a spoon of applesauce up to my mouth. And I'm going to need help. And I've seen this so many times. I, I don't understand it at this moment as I'm standing here. I don't get it. When older people say, I don't want to be a burden. I don't want my kids to have to take care of me. That should not be the attitude of the believer, especially in the context of the local church. Furthermore, I don't think it should be your attitude with your kids. Your kids are called to take care of you in old age, period. They are. They owe you. That's, that's, that should not be something that we blush about because in our society, we, we just have a tendency. The kids are 18. Everybody's on their own. They go live and do their separate thing. Oh, no, that relationship hasn't ended. There's a responsibility on the part of the child. So I don't think that attitude of, I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to cause anybody to have any hardship. Well, of course, you perhaps don't want that, but you should want them to be able to steward their gift. This is perhaps bordering on cliche, but you're robbing them of a blessing to be able to serve a brother who is in debilitating pain. That should be a joy. We get crowns for that type of activity, and you're robbing us of our crowns if you don't let us. There are people in the church. They delight in that. There's different gifts. Well, Peter classifies them as speaking gifts, and he classifies them as serving gifts. I think there's other gifts. I think there's office gifts. I, I think there's also. Most of them have passed. But the prophetic gifts, the speaking in tongues, the healing gifts, we don't need those anymore. The office of apostle, we don't need a prophet. I think we can prophesy when we declare truth, but with no prophet, because what do we have? We've got the Bible. That is a more sure word. So the gifts that are listed, it's not an exhaustive list. The gift of helps. The gift of helps. There are people in your church, brother, who love helping. God has given them that gift to steward, and they're commanded to use it. And if you block them, yikes, you are robbing them from participating in the life of the body. Avail yourself of people in your local church. They want to help you. And I would, I would simply pause for a moment of introspection on the part of every church. Whether you're a pastor or not, is the attitude of your church one that is like on the. We are, we're, we're like in the starting block of a race. Let us go, come fire the gun. We want to get in there and help somebody. We want to get in there and do something. I want to use my gift of administration. I want to use the gift of, of gifts. I wanna, I wanna be able to give. Please let me in the game, coach. They, they, they, they, they are desiring to help. Is that, is that the attitude of your church? That should be, that should be now these days in our autonomy driven society, that's very counter and so it's going to take a lot to cultivate that. But shouldn't that be the goal and the aim of the church? There are no less than a dozen clear. They're not even illusions, they're clear illustrations. We're the body. And if right now the elbow is broken, then the knee wants to help. Okay. Not the best application of the illustration, but the body should be encouraged to sort serve one another. Brother, if you're hurting, let them. This is wretched radio.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

So your phone rings and there's a friend at church who just lost her husband. You want to help, but honestly you don't know what to say. Or your son asks you what it means to be a man and you realize you've never really thought it through biblically. Or maybe there's someone at work who says anxiety is just a chemical imbalance and you're not sure how to respond or even if you should. That's why Fortis forums exist. This is real teaching on grief and marriage and mental health and manhood and more. And they're all available for you to view right now on Fortis. These aren't feel good devotionals. These are Christ centered, scripture saturated conversations that actually equip you for the moments that matter. You can download the Fortis plus app right now apps absolutely free of charge. You can download it on your smartphone, your smart TV, or just simply go to fortisplus.org and the next time you don't know what to say, you might actually have it answered. Be honest. When's the last time you shared the gospel with a stranger? Not posted something online, not liked a Christian meme, but actually opened your mouth and told someone about Jesus if your stomach tightened just a little bit, you're not alone. Most Christians would rather do almost anything than evangelize. It's terrifying. But what if they get mad? What if I say something wrong? What if they ask me a question I can't answer? Our resource Terrified too. It exists because Jesus gave us the Great Commission, not the Great Suggestion, and he actually gave us the tools to obey it. And this resource will walk you through how to share the Gospel with strangers, even family members, without needing Pepto Bismol to get through it. You'll still be nervous. That's normal. But you'll also be equipped. And equipped beats terrified every single time. Terrified2 it is streaming right now for free on Fortis. Download the app right now on your smartphone, on your smart TV, or head to fortisplus.org Trust the Science. You've heard it a million times, usually right before someone uses it to shut a conversation down instead of opening one up. But science is a tool, it's not a judge. And like any tool, it depends on who's holding it and what they already believe. Two scientists can look at the exact same data and walk away with opposite conclusions because each one brought a different worldview to the table. Science also leans on a few things it can't prove that the universe stays orderly and that our minds can actually grasp truth. Both make the most sense of a rational God made it all. You take take him out of the picture, and you're left trusting that chaos somehow adds up. That's where in the beginning with Dr. Jason Lyle comes in. He's a PhD astrophysicist. He'll teach you to read the science headlines without getting played. New episodes of in the Beginning are dropped every single Wednesday on every single podcast platform in existence [e-mail].

[Jimmy Hicks]

God.

[Todd Friel]

We learn a lot about God from the names given to him in scripture. One name is El Rohi. The God who sees God is ultimately aware and concerned for us. Nothing escapes his vision. For the unsaved, this is a great terror. But for those who are in Christ, this is a great comfort. This is Wretched Radio with Todd Friel.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Self Control, Todd Self Control. This is Wretched Radio. Just staring at my favorite color, keeping it in the wrapper. Self Control. I'm just growing in Fruit of the Spirit. Would you please send wretched things to ideaetched.org please text 877282, 2337.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

What's the fruit of the Spirit you're growing in? Self Control.

[Jimmy Hicks]

That's the one right there.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Or is it the same flavor as that?

[Jimmy Hicks]

No, the purple one. Yeah, I got that sitting on a piece of paper. Okay. I foolishly threw the wrapper away, so you know what?

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I.

[Jimmy Hicks]

How much do I Love these stupid tropical fruit lifesavers. I take it out of my mouth because I'm trying to be polite. I put the purple one on a piece of paper because I threw the wrapper away. Yeah. And then I pick it up during the break to put it in my mouth. It's got paper on it. I eat it. It's fiber. It's good for you. Did you see that video we did? A short? That silly pastor who tried to get. Did we maybe play that on the. On the radio here?

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I think we talked about it.

[Jimmy Hicks]

I got built. He takes a page of the Bible out and makes some kid on the stage eat it. It's a riot. Because the guy's. He literally says, turn up the music. Because he. You know, he needs his mood enhancer. Turn up the music. And he's got the kids standing there. This is going to be a blessing for you. And he tries to hit him with the spirit. Kid doesn't even blink. Puts his hand on his forehead, gives him a little tap. Not nanny. And then he tried. Turn the music. Should have changed the key. Maybe that would have helped. But he turns the music up and he. Then he. I think he tried to blow on the kid, you know, like to blow the spirit onto them like Benny Hinn does. Ridiculous. The kid doesn't do anything. All right, give him a round of applause, everybody. Get him out of here. Because he wouldn't go for the show. What hijinks? What? What? Jude. That's just Jude business. They are. They're. They're. They're clouds that never deliver. And their modus operandi and what they. What they desire so much, it is power. It's to be in the spotlight. It is usually sexually driven. And it's about money. Honey. They're wolves. 8, 7, 7, 2 8, 2, 2, 3, 3, 7.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

All right. This is a text from Joe Todd. I had a traumatic brain injury in 1999, and I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2001. Was saved in 2008, and baptized on Resurrection Sunday in 2012. Later that year, doctors worked out the medication I needed for a normal life. But since being on them, I have no joy. My doctors say it's a side effect. If I can't experience the joy of Christ, am I even still saved? I feel like I should be doing cartwheels and backflips for joy over salvation. And I feel guilty that I don't.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Yeah, you shouldn't. You shouldn't. Now, I'm assuming in your scenario that those drugs are a necessity because as you weigh things, if you don't have them, very bad things are going to happen. Obviously decisions like that should be done thoughtfully in consultation with your elders with a whole lot of love and family to help you make those types of decisions as you weigh and balance those things. But assuming that those medications are a necessity and they have a physiological effect of perhaps flattened emotions. Yeah, that's a sacrifice. And you'd have to weigh that. You'd have to weigh that if it's causing you to constantly be numb. There are plenty of people who have gone off of meds because they cannot stand the side effects like that. No, I'm not suggesting that. I'm just saying you need to weigh that and consider that. But if ultimately the scales tip toward you need your epilepsy medicine and it's robbing you of joy. Oh, the last thing it means is that you're not saved. It means a medicine is having a side effect. No more, no less. Okay. 8, 7, 7, 282-2-337.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

All right. This is from Anonymous. Todd, are you familiar with Bible quizzing? What is your opinion of it? Is it wrong to turn the Bible into a sport?

[Jimmy Hicks]

Is there money involved? Is, are there odds? Is there high, low? I don't get the whole gambling thing. I guess, I guess negative number means you're favored to win.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Yeah, I don't have any idea.

[Jimmy Hicks]

And the plus means probably not. But you'll bet on that guy. I think that's how it goes.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I don't know.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Okay, so if you're doing that, yeah, you shouldn't be doing that with the Bible. But if it's, if it's an activity that sharpens you, that causes you to learn more about the Bible and it's fun, I don't think there's anything wrong with that as long as it doesn't somehow trivialize the Bible and make it silly and, and that it doesn't become so silly that the Bible is merely a prop. But if you can do it reverentially, maybe, okay, maybe reverentially is even too strong. But sober mindedly remembering you're dealing with God's word here. This is, this is the word of God codified. With that in mind, I don't think there's anything wrong with Bible quizzing. Speaking of First Peter 4. Yeah, there's, there's a, there's an interesting admonition to those with spiritual gifts, to those who speak as you're speaking, the oracles of God. And I thought that's interesting from two perspectives. Number one is if you teach the Bible even to your kids, whether it's a formal setting or just a family setting, it's with your husband and what back and forth, teaching the Bible, you're speaking the very words of God. Gulp. Should cause us to do it in a manner that isn't trite. But then I thought, hey, that's a good Bible verse for biblical counseling. Because if you're going, if you've got a speaking gift, what do you speak? The words of God. It doesn't say the word of God in psychology. It doesn't say the word of God in philosophy, it doesn't say the word of God and anything else. The word of God, which is exactly what biblical counseling is about. And interestingly. Well, I think we touched on this a number of months ago. It doesn't appear to be going away at the moment, but there are a number of people inside of the biblical counseling movement. Movement that are trying to bring in. Well, I'm just going to call it what I think it is. Integrationalism. They're trying to bring in other philosophies. They're bringing in other worldviews because they believe that they have some value. They could have some insight. Why not use them? Well, if you, if you want to do that, then call yourself a Christian counselor. But that is not historically what a biblical counselor is. A biblical counselor speaks the oracles of God, period. No more, no less. Will be interested to see how this little internal skirmish plays out. I know that ACBC is standing strong. I can't speak for any other biblical counseling organizations, but I know the association of Certified Biblical Counselors. They ain't playing Dale Johnson. He ain't giving in on the. On the Bible is sufficient for all of life and godliness. Applause for Dale, who, by the way, is in seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Transformed. Did you know that all four seasons are available on our app, which is free fortis plus.org Go watch Transformed. You'll love it. Seriously, you're just going to love it. You're going to see biblical counseling in action. And if you can catch season four with Dr. Lou Priolo. Wow, that guy was good. He was so good. And you'll be edified and you'll learn and you will see the power of the Bible because it is sufficient. Why? Because when we use the Bible, we are speaking the oracles of God [e-mail]

[Show Producer or Co-host]

All right, this is from Steve Todd. During a recent Sunday school study of Revelation, found out that our church is pre tribulation. Pre, millennial and dispensational.

[Jimmy Hicks]

What's the problem here?

[Show Producer or Co-host]

What does that mean? He doesn't. He wants to know what it means. But I agree.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Sounds good to me. It's, it's, it's one of the four major eschatological views. Rose Publications. If you've never studied the issue, you would really do well to get Rose Publications. It's Jimmy, maybe you can look it up on Christianbook.com or org. Whatever they are. They, they lay out in kind of chart form, really simply preacher post. They do a really good job. Of the four major views, you would do well to study them and then study them well and then come to your own conclusion which will be pre trib, dispensational. Eight, seven. Oh, did you find it? Rose publication.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

Yeah, it's on Christian book. The four views of End Times.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Yeah. No, it's a booklet, I think. And it's also like a chart.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

I think they have a DVD study series on this as well.

[Jimmy Hicks]

Alrighty. And they do it really? I think they do a fair job. I think they do a very fair job of laying out all of the positions. And if this is kind of a new field of study, I would suggest another field of study before you study eschatology, and that is the study of hermeneutics. Because you need to know your rules of biblical interpretation. Because if you have rules and you follow them. My opinion, we're not going to divide over this. My opinion. Let me just put it this way, sir. You're in the right church. 877-282-2337.

[Show Producer or Co-host]

This is a text from Anonymous. Tatya churches ask people with disruptive Tourette's to leave the sanctuary during Sunday service.

[Jimmy Hicks]

It depends. It depends. And the reason I say that is because it's a dance. It's not dissimilar to little children there. I understand. We don't want to disrupt people in the church service, but we also simultaneously want kids to sit under the preaching of the word, don't we? Even at a young age. I'm a full believer. A brand new infant baby, just brand new out of the womb that just got, just got birthed. Get something out of preaching. They're hearing the word of God being proclaimed. We want them in there. So what happens when the kid cries? Well, it depends. The parents doing everything they can to stop it. Okay, then we have patience, don't we? And if it goes on for a little bit or the parent identifies, oh, this cry, I know what that means. They get up and they go out to the lobby or they go to the cry room. But I think that we need to find that balance and do it together. It grows both of us, doesn't it? It helps a parent to parent better and be more mindful of their kid, considerate of other people, and it causes us to have some patience and loving kindness. All that to say, should somebody ask you to leave? I think the same rules and principles would apply. Is it ongoing? How disruptive is it? Is there an option for you? And together, as a church, you make that decision lovingly and you'll all grow because of it. And until tomorrow, go serve your king.