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.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:
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
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.
