

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

Aug 28, 2025 • 53min
TS&TT: A Christian Perspective on Education
Today on The Sword & The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss education. They address several commonly asked questions… Is education really that important? What is the responsibility of parents in their children’s education? Should Christians send their children to public school? Is going to college worthwhile? Listen to them address all this and more.
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
Preorder "The Baptist Catechism": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-baptist-catechism/
Register for "Introduction to the Law and the Gospel": https://study.founders.org/library/introduction-to-the-law-and-the-gospel-237516/
Apply to the Founders Seminary Spring 2026 semester: https://foundersseminary.org
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.

Aug 21, 2025 • 44min
TS&TT: The 1689 Confession: Divine Providence (Part 2)
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 continue their discussion of Chapter 5 on Divine Providence and specifically deal with the problem of evil in this world - does God ordain all things that happen, including sin and wickedness?
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/
Get 10% off Miller's Grove Soap with code "FOUNDERS": https://TheMillersGrove.com
Pre-Order "The 1689 in Rhyme": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-1689-in-rhyme/
Register for "Introduction to the Law and the Gospel": https://study.founders.org/library/introduction-to-the-law-and-the-gospel-237516/
Apply to the Founders Seminary Spring 2026 semester: https://foundersseminary.org
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.

Aug 14, 2025 • 45min
TS&TT: The Secret Treachery of the "Pro-Life" Establishment
Today on the Sword & The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Ben Zeisloft, Communications Director at The Foundation to Abolish Abortion, and talk about his new book: Forsakers of the Fatherless. They discuss the need for this book, how the pro-life movement has shut down righteous abolition laws, the rising abortion rates since the overturning of Roe and more.
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
Preorder "The Baptist Catechism": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-baptist-catechism/
Register for "Introduction to the Law and the Gospel": https://study.founders.org/library/introduction-to-the-law-and-the-gospel-237516/
Pre-Order "The Law for the Lawless": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-for-the-lawless/
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.

Aug 7, 2025 • 45min
TS&TT: Matthew Barrett: What Hath Nashville to do with Canterbury
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss the recent departure of Dr. Matthew Barrett from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, his becoming Anglican, and the lessons that we can learn.
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
Preorder "The Baptist Catechism": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-baptist-catechism/
Check out the Founders Study Center: https://study.founders.org/
Pre-Order "King of Kings": https://press.founders.org/shop/king-of-kings/
Shop the Founders Press Store: https://press.founders.org/
Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/
The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/
Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/
Follow Founders Ministries:
Website: https://founders.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Jul 31, 2025 • 49min
TS&TT: The 1689 Confession: Divine Providence (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 begin their discussion of Chapter 5 on Divine Providence and the comfort that Christians should take in the doctrine of God's providence.
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
Preorder "The Baptist Catechism": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-baptist-catechism/
Check out the Founders Study Center: https://study.founders.org/
Pre-Order "The 1689 in Rhyme": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-1689-in-rhyme/
Shop the Founders Press Store: https://press.founders.org/
Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/
The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/
Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/
Follow Founders Ministries:
Website: https://founders.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Jul 24, 2025 • 47min
TS&TT: Shiplap & Millstones: Chip & Joanna Gaines Affirm Sin
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss the recent controversy involving Chip and Joanna Gaines and their new reality TV show. They talk about the need for Christians to maintain clarity in the face of sin and the role of the church in correcting these errors.
Show Notes:Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Register for the 2025 Founders Pastors' Seminar: https://founders.org/pastorsseminar/
Get 10% off Miller's Grove Soap with code "FOUNDERS": https://TheMillersGrove.com
Order "Abstract of Systematic Theology": https://press.founders.org/shop/abstract-of-systematic-theology/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Pre-Order "King of Kings": https://press.founders.org/shop/king-of-kings/
Shop the Founders Press Store: https://press.founders.org/
Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/
The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/
Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/
Follow Founders Ministries:
Website: https://founders.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Jul 16, 2025 • 46min
TS&TT: The Life and Ministry of John MacArthur
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss the impact that John MacArthur had on their lives and in the broader evangelical world. They also discuss the question many are asking, "Who will take his place?"
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
Order "Abstract of Systematic Theology": https://press.founders.org/shop/abstract-of-systematic-theology/
Register for the 2025 Founders Pastors' Seminar: https://founders.org/pastorsseminar/
Pre-Order "The 1689 in Rhyme": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-1689-in-rhyme/
Shop the Founders Press Store: https://press.founders.org/
Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/
The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/
Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/
Follow Founders Ministries:
Website: https://founders.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Jul 10, 2025 • 43min
TS&TT: Partnering Together in Global Missions
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Paul David, President of ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism). They discuss the work of ABWE in global missions, how we should apply the Great Commission, and they share more about the exciting partnership between ABWE and Founders Seminary.
Show Notes:Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Register for the 2025 Founders Pastors' Seminar: https://founders.org/pastorsseminar/
Get 10% off Miller's Grove Soap with code "FOUNDERS": https://TheMillersGrove.com
Pre-Order "King of Kings": https://press.founders.org/shop/king-of-kings/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Pre-Order "The 1689 in Rhyme": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-1689-in-rhyme/
Shop the Founders Press Store: https://press.founders.org/
Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/
The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/
Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/
Follow Founders Ministries:
Website: https://founders.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Jul 3, 2025 • 39min
TS&TT: Forgiveness, Repentance, and Reconciliation
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss what is involved in forgiveness and reconciliation, and what role repentance plays in both. They address the perennial question of whether Christians are obligated to forgive those who have not repented.
Show Notes:Ready to plan your next event? Contact Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center: https://LYBCC.com
Register for the 2025 Founders Pastors' Seminar: https://founders.org/pastorsseminar/
Get 10% off Miller's Grove Soap with code "FOUNDERS": https://TheMillersGrove.com
Order "Abstract of Systematic Theology": https://press.founders.org/shop/abstract-of-systematic-theology/
Register for the 2026 National Founders Conference - Make Disciples: https://founders.org/conference/
Pre-Order "King of Kings": https://press.founders.org/shop/king-of-kings/
Shop the Founders Press Store: https://press.founders.org/
Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/
The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/
Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/
Follow Founders Ministries:
Website: https://founders.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Jun 26, 2025 • 51min
TS&TT: The Christian in the Public Square
Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Pastor and Senator Dusty Deevers from Oklahoma. Senator Deevers give practical advice and guidance for how christians can engage in the public square and his survey of the local and national political landscape.
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
Order "Abstract of Systematic Theology": https://press.founders.org/shop/abstract-of-systematic-theology/
Register for the 2025 Founders Pastors' Seminar: https://founders.org/pastorsseminar/
Pre-Order "King of Kings": https://press.founders.org/shop/king-of-kings/
Pre-Order "The 1689 in Rhyme": https://press.founders.org/shop/the-1689-in-rhyme/
Shop the Founders Press Store: https://press.founders.org/
Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/
The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/
Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/
Follow Founders Ministries:
Website: https://founders.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.