The issue that you have in your hands marks the end of the sixth volume year of Sword and Shield. If you are interested in a bound volume, please contact the business office of Reformed Believers Publishing to make arrangements.
Now is a good time to thank the writers, copy editors, and other staff for their work. Each issue of Sword and Shield involves a lot of different pieces coming together. Writers submit their articles about a month and a half prior to the issue date of the magazine. Those articles are carefully reviewed by our dedicated copy editors. Once all the articles are edited, they are combined and sent to the typesetter, and then the file is off to printing and mailing. Many hours of writing, editing, typesetting, printing, and mailing go into each issue. And the fruit of that hidden labor arrives in your mailboxes each month, month after month. And now the magazine is heading into its seventh year. The Lord has been good to us.
It is time also to thank the board members of Reformed Believers Publishing for their constant support of the magazine. When we began this endeavor, we did not know what the Lord had in store for us. The first issue of Sword and Shield burst on the scene in the Protestant Reformed Churches (PRC) in June 2020. We were all still members of the Protestant Reformed Churches, and we were hopeful for a reformation in those churches. But the reaction to the magazine by many was weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. The era of censorship and control was over, and many were not pleased. The Lord saw to it that by means of Sword and Shield the PRC was hardened in her false doctrine and a new denomination of churches was formed. We rejoice in that work of the Lord and give him thanks. The formation of Reformed Believers Publishing and the publication of Sword and Shield are his cause, and he has prospered us. As part of that prospering of the work, the Lord has given a supportive board.
The editor gives a friendly reminder to the readership concerning the magazine’s Insights rubric, which is a place for readers of Sword and Shield to submit articles of theological interest for publication. Have you listened to a sermon that you think is important for consideration or criticism? Have you had an interaction with family, friends, or foes about the truth? Have you recently read an article about which you have thoughts? Write an article and send it to the editor of Sword and Shield for publication. Insights along with the Running Footmen rubric are testaments to the conviction of the board of Reformed Believers Publishing and the editor and staff of Sword and Shield concerning the fundamental importance of the office of all believer. The believer has received from Jesus Christ his Spirit and judges all things.
In this issue we have two new writers. Mary Lou Vermeer takes up the pen in Running Footmen against the Protestant Reformed corruption of the truth of faith. The PRC has an Arminian doctrine of faith: Faith is that which man does to be saved. Against that stands the truth of scripture and the Reformed creeds that faith is a bond with Jesus Christ. Seth Ferguson writes in Insights against Rev. Martin Vander Wal, who has completely abandoned the gospel. He cannot even define the gospel, which is clear from his speech that Seth analyzes in his article.
In the rest of the issue, Reverend Bomers continues his edifying treatment of the Old Testament sacrifices by considering the peace offering. There is another gripping meditation by Rev. Herman Hoeksema that has been translated by the editor, and the editorial continues the series on the end of all things with an examination of the mystery of iniquity.
May the Lord use the content of this issue to accomplish his sovereign purposes!
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