The Sword & The Trowel

The Sword & The Trowel episodes:

• 04.23.2024

  TS&TT: David Forsythe | Vengeance Has Come: A Puritan-Minded Exposition of the Apocalypse

  Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with David Forsythe, author of the book Vengeance Has Come: A Puritan-Minded Exposition of the Apocalypse for the Modern Church. They discuss the genesis of the...

  
• 04.16.2024

  TS&TT: Abortion, Donald Trump & Thinking Christianly About Our Election

  Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss abortion, Donald Trump, the pro-life movement, how Christians should think through the upcoming election and more. SHOW NOTES: RATES INCREASE: 2025 National Founders Conference: Revive Us, O Lord!:...

  
• 04.09.2024

  TS&TT: William Wolfe | The Need For Biblical Leadership in the SBC

  Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with William Wolfe, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Baptist Leadership. They discuss the state of the Southern Baptist Convention, the need for Biblical...

  
• 04.02.2024

  TS&TT: Transgender Day of Visibility & The New Religion of America

  Today on The Sword & The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden discuss President Biden's recent proclamation of the Transgender Day of Visibility. They unpack how this is just the latest expression of the new religion in America: paganism....

  
• 03.26.2024

  TS&TT: Liturgy of Worship In The Local Church

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about the church's regular weekly worship. They discuss liturgy, elements of worship, and the various challenges Pastors may face and they also recommend some resources to...

  
• 03.19.2024

  TS&TT: Mark Coppenger | Whither Southern Baptists? Looking Towards #SBC24

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel podcast, Tom Ascol sits down with Dr. Mark Coppenger to discuss the state of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Coppenger shares some insight into what's going on in the SBC and some reasons...

  
• 03.12.2024

  TS&TT: The Lies of Feminism & Egalitarianism

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. They address some of the ways Feminism and Egalitarianism are eroding the foundations of Biblical thinking regarding what it means to be...

  
• 03.05.2024

  TS&TT: Family Life In The Negative World

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about the institution of the family and why it is under attack in our culture today. What has God said in His word about the Family? Why...

  
• 02.27.2024

  TS&TT: Ron Henzel & Don Veinot | A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard & His Cultish Teachings

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk Ron Henzel and Don Veinot, authors of the book: A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and His Cultish Teachings. They discuss the reason they wrote the...

  
• 02.20.2024

  TS&TT: Allie Beth Stuckey | LIVE at the 2024 Founders Conference

  Today on this special episode of The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Allie Beth Stuckey for a LIVE show that was filmed at the 2024 National Founders Conference. They discuss "trad-wife life", social media cosplay,...

  
• 02.13.2024

  TS&TT: He Gets Us... But Not Like That!

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about the "He Gets Us" campaign and the two most recent ads that played during the Super Bowl. They unpack the ads and discuss how they miss...

  
• 02.06.2024

  TS&TT: Traveling Through Vanity Fair - Living Faithfully In A Fallen World

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about traveling through Vanity Fair, borrowing an analogy from John Bunyan in his allegorical book: Pilgrim's Progress. They talk about living under the authority of Christ, when...

  
• 01.30.2024

  TS&TT: Josh Abbotoy | Thinking Christianly About The Texas Border Crisis

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Josh Abbotoy, Harvard Lawyer and Executive Director of American Reformer. Josh has been tracking the border crisis in Texas and in this podcast, he helps give...

  
• 01.23.2024

  TS&TT: Using Social Media As Christians

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about how we should engage on social media as Christians. What are some principles we should apply and boundaries we should set? Is social media worth using...

  
• 01.16.2024

  TS&TT: Brandon Rhea | Spurgeon’s Forgotten Sabbatarianism

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Brandon Rhea, author of Spurgeon’s Forgotten Sabbatarianism: The Role of the Fourth Commandment in the Life and Theology of the Prince of Preachers. They discuss the...

  
• 01.09.2024

  TS&TT: A New Election Year - Looking Ahead in 2024

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about being a new presidential election year in the US and how we should think about it as Christians? What do we do in the midst of...

  
• 01.02.2024

  TS&TT: Baruch Maoz | Update On The War In Israel

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Pastor Baruch Maoz. Having just returned from ministering in Israel, Pastor Maoz gives an honest update and perspective on the situation there with Hamas and the...

  
• 12.19.2023

  TS&TT: David Schrock | Contemporary Challenges in Pastoral Ministry

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol sits down with David Schrock, Pastor of Preaching at Occoquan Bible Church and Editor-In-Chief at Christ Over All. They discuss a wide range of topics from plagiarism, biblical anthropology, the SBC,...

  
• 12.12.2023

  TS&TT: Timothy Decker | Romans 13: Subjection To The Civil Magistrate & Resistance To Tyrants

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Dr. Timothy Decker about his new book: A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance...

  
• 12.05.2023

  TS&TT: Josh Daws | Christian Nationalism: A Primer For The Layman

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Josh Daws, host of The Great Awokening Podcast. They discuss his article on American Reformer that accesses the Christian Nationalism movement, Christian Federalism, and how to...

  
• 11.28.2023

  TS&TT: Joey Tomlinson | Serious Joy: What Can We Learn From Jonathan Edwards?

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Joey Tomlinson about his book - Serious Joy: Reflections and Devotions on Jonathan Edwards’ Seventy Resolutions. They discuss Edwards' life and the Lordship of Christ over...

  
• 11.21.2023

  TS&TT: Jared Moore | Thinking Biblically About "Sexual Orientation," Attraction, and Temptation

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Jared Moore about his book: The Lust of the Flesh - Thinking Biblically About "Sexual Orientation," Attraction, and Temptation. There has been much debate recently about...

  
• 11.14.2023

  TS&TT: Stan Reeves | How Should Christians Think About Bitcoin?

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Stan Reeves, Professor Emeritus at Auburn University and long time friend of Founders. For the last few years, Stan has given himself to the study of...

  
• 11.07.2023

  TS&TT: Larry Taunton | Infiltrating The World Economic Forum

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Larry Taunton back to the show to discuss the World Economic Forum. They talk about some the WEF Genesis and their agenda, while hearing about Larry's personal...

  
• 10.31.2023

  TS&TT: The Cultural Mandate - How Do Christians Live Well In This World?

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about the Cultural Mandate and what that means for us as Christians living in this world, especially in light of the Incarnation. Does the cultural mandate still...

  
• 10.24.2023

  TS&TT: Jorge & Yoandra Alvarez | Escaping Communism - A Story of God’s Great Mercy & Grace

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol talks with Jorge and Yoandra Alvarez. Originally from Cuba, they share the incredible story of how God worked in their family while they struggled under the oppressive weight of communism, eventually...

  
• 10.17.2023

  TS&TT: Michael Clary | God's Good Design: A Biblical & Practical Guide to Human Sexuality

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Pastor Michael Clary, author of God's Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality. They discuss the beauty of God's design in our...

  
• 10.10.2023

  TS&TT: Jeremy & Jinger Vuolo | Becoming Free Indeed: Gothard Theology & Finding Hope In The Gospel

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Jeremy and Jinger Vuolo about Jinger's book: Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear. They discuss the dangerous theology of Bill Gothard and...

  
• 09.26.2023

  TS&TT: Darrell Harrison | Just Thinking About The State, Ethnicity and More

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden sit down with Darrell Harrison, co-host of the Just Thinking Podcast and Director of Digital Platforms at Grace To You. Together they spend some time just thinking (and...

  
• 09.19.2023

  TS&TT: Pilgrim's Progress - What Can We Learn From John Bunyan?

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about one of their favorite books, Pilgrim's Progress. Recently it was trending on Twitter and it became a great opportunity to discuss why this work from John...

  
• 09.12.2023

  TS&TT: Dusty Deevers | A Pastor Running For State Senate - How Do Christians Engage In Politics?

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Dusty Deevers, Pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church of Elgin, OK. Dusty is currently running for State Senate in Oklahoma. They discuss why Christians should be...

  
• 09.05.2023

  TS&TT: David Schrock | Dividing the Faithful: How A Book Fractured A Movement Founded on Grace

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Pastor David Schrock back to the show to discuss his newest book - Dividing The Faithful: How a Little Book on Race Fractured a Movement Founded on...

  
• 08.29.2023

  TS&TT: Lizzie Marbach | Fired For Sharing Gospel Message & The Truth Behind The Pro-Life Movement

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Lizzie Marbach, former communications director for Ohio Right To Life. Lizzie made headlines recently when she was publicly slammed by a local Republican for sharing a...

  
• 08.22.2023

  TS&TT: Phil Johnson | The Importance Of Studying Christology

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Brother Phil Johnson, executive director of Grace to You. They discuss some of the Christological controversies, both in the early church and now, and they also...

  
• 08.15.2023

  TS&TT: Should Women Be Theologians? — Complementarianism, Patriarchy, & the Bible

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about Complementarianism, Egalitarianism and Patriarchy. They address the recent conversations around women studying theology, women teaching theology, women pastors and more. Included in this episode is also...

  
• 08.08.2023

  TS&TT: Marcus Schroeder | Teenager Arrested For Preaching Christ At A Drag Queen Event

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol talks with 19 year old Marcus Schroeder, street preacher and student at the Institute of Public Theology. On Saturday, July 29th, while reading Scripture and preaching at an event where drag...

  
• 08.01.2023

  TS&TT: E.D. Burns | Seeds and Stars: Resting in Christ for Great Commission Service

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Dr. E.D. Burns, a longtime missionary overseas, author and theological instructor both overseas and stateside. Dr. Burns came on the show to discuss his newest book with...

  
• 07.25.2023

  TS&TT: Travis Allen | Pastoral Ministry In The 21st Century - Challenges & Blessings

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Travis Allen, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Greeley, Colorado and Professor at IOPT. They discuss Pastoral ministry in the 21st century - both the challenges...

  
• 07.18.2023

  TS&TT: The Blessing & Beauty Of Children In Gathered Worship

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about children in times of gathered church worship. We have a responsibility to raise our children in the Lord, but what does that look like on a...

  
• 07.11.2023

  TS&TT: Carl Trueman | Insights into the Evangelical World & CRT in Christianity

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Dr. Carl Trueman. They discuss his IOPT course on The Rise of the Modern Self, his insights on the current evangelical world and is there a...

  
• 07.05.2023

  TS&TT: Shiny Happy People, Bill Gothard & True Biblical Christianity

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about the recently released Amazon Prime documentary, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets. They discuss Bill Gothard and examine some of his teachings, and try to shed...

  
• 06.27.2023

  TS&TT: SBC Amendment | A Call to Uphold Only Qualified Men as Pastors

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Pastor Mike Law about his Amendment to the SBC constitution regarding the office of Pastor, at the recent 2023 Southern Baptist Convention. They discuss his long...

  
• 06.20.2023

  TS&TT: #SBC23 Debrief - Encouragements & Disappointments

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden do an overview and debrief from the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention. They share moments of encouragement from the Convention, some things that were discouraging and the way forward...

  
• 06.06.2023

  TS&TT: #SBC23 - What Should We Look For & Pray For In New Orleans?

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about the upcoming 2023 Southern Baptist Convention. They highlight three specific things to be aware of and praying for: the nomination of Pastor Mike Stone as SBC...

  
• 05.31.2023

  TS&TT: Pride Month - The Dodgers, Target, Uganda & Responding Christianly In The Day of Wickedness

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk about Pride Month and how we should respond as Christian in these days of wickedness. They address the recent Ugandan law against homosexuality, the Dodgers baseball team,...

  
• 05.23.2023

  REPLAY: Ben Dunson | American Evangelicalism and the Growing Divide

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Dr. Ben Dunson, Editor-in-Chief of the American Reformer. They discuss the current landscape of American Evangelicalism and what issues the Church is having to face right...

  
• 05.16.2023

  TS&TT: Voddie Baucham | Fault Lines, Sphere Sovereignty & Christian Nationalism

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Dr. Voddie Baucham back on the show to discuss the current fault lines in American Evangelicalism and his recent teaching curriculum designed to help the church fight...

  
• 05.09.2023

  TS&TT: Joe Rigney | Christian Nationalism & A Classical Protestant Public Theology

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden talk with Dr. Joe Rigney. They discuss a little bit of his background and how he got to where he is now in his theology and ministry. Then...

  
• 05.02.2023

  TS&TT: Mike Stone | Presidential Candidate & The Unsustainable Trajectory Of The SBC

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden welcome Pastor Mike Stone to talk about his recent decision to be nominated for the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Presidency. They discuss why he would be willing to...

  
• 04.25.2023

  TS&TT: Christian Nationalism: A Baptist Heritage of Public & Political Theology

  Today on The Sword and The Trowel, Tom Ascol and Graham Gunden dive into the hotly debated subject of Christian Nationalism. They specifically look at our Baptist heritage regarding engagement in public and political theology. Spoiler: engaging in the public...