The reader will notice that Rev. Nathan Langerak has returned to all of his usual rubrics in this issue: Meditation, Understanding the Times, and Finally, Brethren, Farewell. This indicates the measure of recovery that the Lord has given him, for which we are thankful. As his health, and all of our health, comes and goes, we say with Job, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). 

The reader will also notice that the other two editors have no articles in this issue in order to make room for an outstanding contribution by Mr. Philip Rainey. Mr. Rainey is a founding member of Reformed Believers Publishing, and his article demonstrates that the current errors in the Protestant Reformed Churches are not new but were addressed by Rev. John Heys already many decades ago. In his article Mr. Rainey makes reference to an exchange in which he participated on the blog of the Reformed Free Publishing Association (RFPA). The RFPA would not publish Mr. Rainey’s final response in that exchange. That response ought to be published. Due to space constraints, we plan to publish it in the October issue of Sword and Shield, the Lord willing.

Mr. Rainey’s article in this issue also highlights that Sword and Shield belongs to believers as a believer’s paper. Rather than shorten or break up his article to leave space for the other editors, the magazine carries his article in full. Not only does the voice of another writer add to the interest and flavor of the magazine, but the content of the article is doctrinal and polemical, which we believe will be greatly edifying to the believer.

May God speed the truths written herein to your heart and the next issue into your hands.