The July issue of Sword and Shield has arrived in your mailbox and is now in your hands, providing you with some edifying reading material for those sultry, summer days to be enjoyed on the patio, at the beach, or sitting in your favorite chair in the comfort of your air-conditioned home! Wherever your chosen place is to sit and read Sword and Shield, you will find that this issue is again packed full of sound, Reformed food to fill your soul or like a cool breeze to refresh your spirit.

This month there is a guest editorial written by Aaron J. Cleveland, a member of the board of Reformed Believers Publishing. He gives an insightful analysis of the current state of theology in the Protestant Reformed Churches as evidenced by that denomination’s 2024 synodical agenda. His article also gives the current editor a little break from the monthly responsibility of writing the editorial. As a follow-up to the guest editorial, the editor hopes to comment more in future issues on that synodical agenda and synod’s decisions, but you will find the July editorial to be an excellent introduction to that subject. Our newest regular writer, Rev. Jeremiah Pascual, in his rubric Dry Morsel, explains for the readership what happened in the Philippine churches in the breakup of that young denomination so soon after its inception. The issue was doctrinal! This month we return to the Running Footmen rubric with an article by Ashley Cleveland regarding the promise and the relationship of the promise to the law and to faith in the old dispensation. Since making its appearance on the pages of Sword and Shield just about a year ago, the Running Footmen rubric has proved to be a valuable addition to the magazine. We plan to continue the rubric for some time to come, and we already have another list of eager volunteers to contribute to the publication of the truth in the months ahead. Caleb Ophoff submitted material for Insights regarding the subject of God’s immutable love. Keep those submissions coming! We love to hear from our sharp-eared, eagle-eyed readership. Garrett Varner continues his series on the beatitudes by considering the blessedness of the pure in heart. And there is also an answer for Uncle Screwtape to consider. Perhaps he will learn a trick or two from his wily nephew Wormwood about how to destroy a denomination and to take many souls with him. For the rest, we hope that the magazine fills your mind and heart with the pure strains of sweet, Reformed, doctrinal music.