Wretched Radio host stays with American Family Radio

Ahead of Wednesday’s deadline for a decision, Todd Friel, host of Wretched Radio, opted to stay with American Family Radio instead of speak at an event hosted by Brannon Howse. Last week, American Family Radio’s program director, Jim Stanley sent a letter to John Loeffler and Todd Friel, informing them that if they spoke at an event hosted by Brannon Howse, they could not continue on AFR. See the details here and here.
On the Facebook page for the show, Friel posted a vague statement giving defense for staying with AFR despite the ultimatum:

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a difficult situation not of your own doing and forced to make a decision you didn’t want to make? That’s what happened to us. We were minding our own business when we were asked to make a decision to speak at one conference or continue to preach the Gospel on 130 stations.
What would you have done? 
More than that, can you understand how two different people might make two different decisions and neither are sinning?
We are not choosing sides.  We are simply trying to do what we exist to do: preach the Gospel on radio and TV. 
Feel free to disagree with us, but please keep these things in mind:

  • If you are a parent or if you have ever been in a spat with your spouse, you know that there are two sides to every story.
  • We encouraged reconciliation between the two parties.
  • We are certainly not Dominionists….yikes.
  • There is a theological term called Adiaphora: things neither commanded nor forbidden by God.  We believe this situation is an adiaphora.  Two different Christians can make two different decisions.
  • This is not a heretical issue.
  • Do you really think we have jumped ship by making this painful decision?
  • We received much unanimous Godly council.  The options for us were not good, but they were relatively clear.
  • We do not hate either party.
  • This is a wonderful chance to understand the difference between sinful decisions and preferential decisions.
  • We don’t have a number ten, but a top 9 list seemed silly.
  • So, there you have it.  You may feel we’ve made a mistake; but please remember, we are not your enemy.   We have always said, when it comes to heretics, the gloves come off.  When it comes to a brother, we should treat each other charitably and with love assuming the best. 
    Thank you for reading and pondering this.
       – The Wretched Gang

    Since this statement was posted late yesterday afternoon, 117 comments have been made, most of which criticize the AFA and/or Friel for his decision. Here is a recent one which seems to sum up the mood:

    For those that keep asking what happened: AFR sent John Loeffler and Todd Friel notices that either they cancel their appearances at Brannon Howse’s Christian Worldview Conferences or their radio shows would be booted off the air. John Lo…effler chose to side with Brannon, and had his radio show pulled from AFR. Todd Friel apparently decided to keep his show on AFR and has chosen not to participate in Brannon’s conference. If you go to Brannon Howse’s FB page you’ll see more info on this. AFR is coming out against Brannon due to his speaking out against many Word of Faith folks that AFR has association with or joined with in The Response. HTHs for those of you who are asking! I pray that the Wretched gang can find a new media outlet. I understand that it is important to keep their show on the air to get the Gospel to as many people as possible, but to still be associated with AFR after behaving in such a dirty, underhanded way is really sad. AFR just proved that they are not a true Christian organization-if they were, they would not have resorted to such tactics.

    When asked for a comment about the situation, Friel pointed me to the Facebook note mentioned above. The other host targeted by the AFR for associated with Brannon Howse, John Loeffler, decided Friday to sever ties with the AFA.
    Additional note: Perhaps the reason the AFA decided to try to hurt Howse by attacking friends of Howse is that they could be feeling some pain from the loss of supporters. Here is a note, again from a supporter of Todd Friel, that makes me wonder if the work with NAR apostles is hurting the AFA:

    Excellent comments Shirley! We learned this summer that AFA was promoting Dominionism and pulled our financial support. When God reveals the truth about a situation it is wise for a Christian to respond in obedience to HIS Word. Honestly, my husband and I had been troubled about the direction AFA was heading for some time, but upon that revelation it was obvious that we could no longer support them.

    22 thoughts on “Wretched Radio host stays with American Family Radio”

    1. No matter how nicely you express your ten points-to-ponder, it’s still a sell-out. I’m truly disappointed at the lack of integrity exhibited by AFR leadership in this agregious ultimatum. It seems to have stemmed from nothing more than pride on the part of those at AFR. Granted you should never have been forced into having to choose, but frankly, Howse’s position represents the high road here. This unequal yoking on the part of AFR is serious business and the Bible is pretty clear on that. As for our family, we are taking a page from the AFR boycott playbook, and won”t be supporting AFR any longer after years of having done so in the past. It is truly a shame that it has come to this.

    2. When the Apostles were told that they weren’t allowed to speak in the temple they disobeyed choosing rather to suffer the wrath of the religious leaders than compromise with those who had become enemies of Christ. AFR have proved themselves to be enemies of truth.
      Todd Friel is using the same logic Billy Graham did when compromising with Rome. If you choose to walk with the wolf pack pretty soon you’ll become one yourself! God will not bless such blatant deviation from truth.
      Ichabod, Todd, Ichabod!

    3. For the sake of clarification, the TERESA on this thread is not the TERESA who’s been commenting for the last 4 or 5 months.
      There is a difference. I think you probably know that already; but, in case not, I have nothing to do with any Evangelical organization, or anything like it.

    4. When the Apostles were told that they weren’t allowed to speak in the temple they disobeyed choosing rather to suffer the wrath of the religious leaders than compromise with those who had become enemies of Christ. AFR have proved themselves to be enemies of truth.
      Todd Friel is using the same logic Billy Graham did when compromising with Rome. If you choose to walk with the wolf pack pretty soon you’ll become one yourself! God will not bless such blatant deviation from truth.
      Ichabod, Todd, Ichabod!

    5. I am new to this thread. In the future I will post as Teresa N, We sure do not want any confusion.
      However, I am a believer in Christ and him crucified.

    6. For the sake of clarification, the TERESA on this thread is not the TERESA who’s been commenting for the last 4 or 5 months.
      There is a difference. I think you probably know that already; but, in case not, I have nothing to do with any Evangelical organization, or anything like it.

    7. I am new to this thread. In the future I will post as Teresa N, We sure do not want any confusion.
      However, I am a believer in Christ and him crucified.

    8. I won’t try to tell others what they should do in this situation; that is between them and the Lord. I will tell you, however, what I chose to do. After corresponding with Bryan Fischer of AFA, and getting no satisfaction on the issue of the NAR, I gently warned him of the consequences that I feel will result from this unfaithfulness, and I resigned my membership in AFA.

    9. I won’t try to tell others what they should do in this situation; that is between them and the Lord. I will tell you, however, what I chose to do. After corresponding with Bryan Fischer of AFA, and getting no satisfaction on the issue of the NAR, I gently warned him of the consequences that I feel will result from this unfaithfulness, and I resigned my membership in AFA.

    10. The Wretched Gang said “We were minding our own business when we were asked to make a decision to speak at one conference or continue to preach the Gospel on 130 stations”. Then they ask the question “What would you have done?” Using this reasoning is called pragmatism. I think I’ve heard Todd Friel say about a thousand time this is not the way Christians make decisions. Has he changed his mind on this?

    11. The Wretched Gang said “We were minding our own business when we were asked to make a decision to speak at one conference or continue to preach the Gospel on 130 stations”. Then they ask the question “What would you have done?” Using this reasoning is called pragmatism. I think I’ve heard Todd Friel say about a thousand time this is not the way Christians make decisions. Has he changed his mind on this?

    12. This all comes down to the almighty dollar, nothing more, nothing less. Wretched didn’t want to have to find a source of income via another radio outlet. What a shock and disapointment, Todd!

    13. WOW!!!!! I am still in shock over this. When Todd or whom ever said “This is not an heretical issue” I beg to differ.
      I agree with Brannon Howse…..When you take front and center stage with the NAR……like the AFA did…how can anyone ask Brannon to reconcile with them.
      I for one stand with Brannon Howse….
      Todd or whom ever said…
      We have always said, when it comes to heretics, the gloves come off. When it comes to a brother, we should treat each other charitably and with love assuming the best.
      Todd this is one time when you should have taken your gloves off……

    14. No matter how nicely you express your ten points-to-ponder, it’s still a sell-out. I’m truly disappointed at the lack of integrity exhibited by AFR leadership in this agregious ultimatum. It seems to have stemmed from nothing more than pride on the part of those at AFR. Granted you should never have been forced into having to choose, but frankly, Howse’s position represents the high road here. This unequal yoking on the part of AFR is serious business and the Bible is pretty clear on that. As for our family, we are taking a page from the AFR boycott playbook, and won”t be supporting AFR any longer after years of having done so in the past. It is truly a shame that it has come to this.

    15. This all comes down to the almighty dollar, nothing more, nothing less. Wretched didn’t want to have to find a source of income via another radio outlet. What a shock and disapointment, Todd!

    16. WOW!!!!! I am still in shock over this. When Todd or whom ever said “This is not an heretical issue” I beg to differ.
      I agree with Brannon Howse…..When you take front and center stage with the NAR……like the AFA did…how can anyone ask Brannon to reconcile with them.
      I for one stand with Brannon Howse….
      Todd or whom ever said…
      We have always said, when it comes to heretics, the gloves come off. When it comes to a brother, we should treat each other charitably and with love assuming the best.
      Todd this is one time when you should have taken your gloves off……

    Comments are closed.