

The Sword & The Trowel
Founders Ministries
The Sword & The Trowel is the weekly Founders Ministries podcast with Tom Ascol. New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 48min
The Law for the Lawless
David Mitzenmacher, Associate Pastor and author of The Law for the Lawless, joins to explore the vital role of God’s law in our lives. He discusses the evangelical silence surrounding the law and its implications for society. Mitzenmacher emphasizes the importance of the second use of the law for preserving social order and restraining evil. He contrasts civil authority with divine law, arguing that both serve crucial functions. The conversation also touches on the relevance of the Ten Commandments and how the law aids in gospel proclamation.

21 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 57min
TS&TT: Pastoral and Geo-political Reflections on Venezuela
Brandon Weichert, a geopolitical analyst and Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest, dives deep into the complexities of Venezuela's political landscape. He breaks down the January 3rd raid in Caracas, highlighting the U.S. tactical success versus the enduring strength of Maduro's regime. The discussion explores the tripolar geopolitical dynamics involving the U.S., Russia, and China, along with the ethical implications of intervention. Weichert also addresses the challenges of Venezuelan oil exploitation, the long-term risks of regime change, and the church's role in these political matters.

Dec 18, 2025 • 53min
TS&TT: Sex Abuse Apocalypse in the SBC? Hardly.
Today on the Sword & The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Megan Basham to talk about the recent discovery documents that have been made public surrounding the David Sills/Jennifer Lyell case. They discuss the lessons to be learned on how to not be manipulated, personally, as churches, and as a convention, by the cultural winds in the future.
Show Notes:Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Pre-Order "The Folly and Vanity of Youth": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-folly-and-vanity-of-youth/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Get 10% off your first Miller's Grove order wtih code "FOUNDERS": https://themillersgrove.com/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Pre-Conference - Refreshed & Quickened: Stripping off the Burden of Egalitarianism: https://founders.org/preconference/
Order "Foundational Truths for Family Worship": https://press.founders.org/shop/foundational-truths-for-family-worship
Founders Ministries: https://founders.org
Support the Work of Founders: https://founders.org/give
https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/https://twitter.com/FoundersMinhttps://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Dec 11, 2025 • 45min
TS&TT: Is Public School Sinful?
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss education and the recent discussion on if public school is sinful. They address parents' responsibility to educate their children, the role of the government in education, and provide some biblical wisdom for evaluating education options.
Show Notes:Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Pre-Order "The Folly and Vanity of Youth": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-folly-and-vanity-of-youth/
Check out the Founders Study Center: https://study.founders.org/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Pre-Conference - Refreshed & Quickened: Stripping off the Burden of Egalitarianism: https://founders.org/preconference/
Order "Foundational Truths for Family Worship": https://press.founders.org/shop/foundational-truths-for-family-worship
Founders Ministries: https://founders.org
Support the Work of Founders: https://founders.org/give
https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/https://twitter.com/FoundersMinhttps://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Dec 4, 2025 • 50min
TS&TT: The 1689 Confession: Christ the Mediator (Part 1)
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden continue in their series of walking through the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. They introduce Chapter 8 on Christ the Mediator addressing the first paragraph on the doctrine of the person and work of Christ, especially in the Covenant of Redemption.
Show Notes:
Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Pre-Order "The Law for the Lawless": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-for-the-lawless/
Check out the Founders Study Center: https://study.founders.org/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Pre-Conference - Refreshed & Quickened: Stripping off the Burden of Egalitarianism: https://founders.org/preconference/
Pre-Order "Real Life in a Fallen World": https://press.founders.org/shop/real-life-in-a-fallen-world/
Founders Ministries: https://founders.org
Support the Work of Founders: https://founders.org/give
https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/https://twitter.com/FoundersMinhttps://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Nov 20, 2025 • 52min
TS&TT: The 1689 Confession: God's Covenant
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden continue in their series of walking through the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. They discuss Chapter 7 on God's Covenant addressing what God has done by dealing with humanity by way of covenant and how this doctrine is central for both Christian ministry and Christian life.
Show Notes:
Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Pre-Order "The Law for the Lawless": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-for-the-lawless/
Check out the Founders Study Center: https://study.founders.org/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Pre-Conference - Refreshed & Quickened: Stripping off the Burden of Egalitarianism: https://founders.org/preconference/
Pre-Order "Real Life in a Fallen World": https://press.founders.org/shop/real-life-in-a-fallen-world/
Founders Ministries: https://founders.org
Support the Work of Founders: https://founders.org/give
https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/https://twitter.com/FoundersMinhttps://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Nov 13, 2025 • 57min
TS&TT: The Radicalization of Young Women
Today on the Sword & The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Pastor David Mitzenmacher, Associate Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, to talk about the radicalization of young women. They discuss the recent election results, the demographics that carried those elections, and how the church has failed to adequately address the sins and radicalization of women.
Show Notes:https://founders.org/articles/we-need-to-talk-about-the-radicalization-of-young-women/
Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Pre-Order "The Law for the Lawless": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-for-the-lawless/
Get 10% off Miller's Grove Soap with code "FOUNDERS": https://TheMillersGrove.com
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Pre-Conference - Refreshed & Quickened: Stripping off the Burden of Egalitarianism: https://founders.org/preconference/
Pre-Order "Real Life in a Fallen World": https://press.founders.org/shop/real-life-in-a-fallen-world/
Founders Ministries: https://founders.org
Support the Work of Founders: https://founders.org/give
https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/https://twitter.com/FoundersMinhttps://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Nov 6, 2025 • 50min
TS&TT: How to Lead Your Family
Today on the Sword & The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Dr. Joel Beeke to talk about his new book: How to Lead Your Family: A Guide for Men Wanting to be More. They discuss the genesis of the book and how God has called men to be a prophet, priest, and king in their homes.
Show Notes:
Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Get 10% off Miller's Grove Soap with code "FOUNDERS": https://TheMillersGrove.com
Register for the 2026 National Founders Pre-Conference - Refreshed & Quickened: Stripping off the Burden of Egalitarianism: https://founders.org/preconference/
Check out the Founders Study Center: https://study.founders.org/
Pre-Order "Real Life in a Fallen World": https://press.founders.org/shop/real-life-in-a-fallen-world/
Founders Ministries: https://founders.org
Support the Work of Founders: https://founders.org/give
https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/https://twitter.com/FoundersMinhttps://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Oct 30, 2025 • 54min
A Commentary on the Baptist Catechism
Today on the Sword & The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Dr. Jim Scott Orrick, Pastor of Bullitt Lick Baptist Church, to talk about his new book: A Commentary on the Baptist Catechism. They discuss the genesis for this book and how it, and catechisms in general, are helpful tools for Christians looking to deepen the understanding of God's truth.
Show Notes:Order "A Commentary on the Baptist Catechism": https://press.founders.org/shop/a-commentary-on-the-baptist-catechism/
Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Get 10% off Miller's Grove Soap with code "FOUNDERS": https://TheMillersGrove.com
Register for the 2026 National Founders Pre-Conference - Refreshed & Quickened: Stripping off the Burden of Egalitarianism: https://founders.org/preconference/
Check out the Founders Study Center: https://study.founders.org/
Pre-Order "Real Life in a Fallen World": https://press.founders.org/shop/real-life-in-a-fallen-world/
Founders Ministries: https://founders.org
Support the Work of Founders: https://founders.org/give
https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/https://twitter.com/FoundersMinhttps://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Oct 23, 2025 • 43min
TS&TT: Third Wayism and the Liberal Gaze
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss some recent events, how Christians ought to think about them, and the disappointing way that many evangelical leaders have responded in recent years. They talk about how Christians can chart a course forward in these tumultuous times.
Show Notes:https://study.founders.org/library/political-theology-i-230048/about/https://press.founders.org/shop/king-of-kings/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXMbCWFEKybKaXsg8_cM3jf4xW7nQs4yx
https://press.founders.org/shop/the-perils-and-promises-of-christian-nationalism/
Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Pre-Order "The Law for the Lawless": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-for-the-lawless/
Get 10% off Miller's Grove Soap with code "FOUNDERS": https://TheMillersGrove.com
Order "A Commentary on the Baptist Catechism": https://press.founders.org/shop/a-commentary-on-the-baptist-catechism/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Founders Ministries: https://founders.org
Support the Work of Founders: https://founders.org/give
https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/https://twitter.com/FoundersMinhttps://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.


