Roger Smalling, D.Min
A collection of Reformed Christian articles on Reformed theology, apologetics, Christian living, and Christian leadership.
REFORMED THEOLOGY | APOLOGETICS | CHRISTIAN LIVING | CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
Reformed Theology
Grace and salvation
What is total depravity? Explains why sin affects every human faculty, including the will, and why sinners need God’s grace to believe the gospel. Word, PDF
What is grace? Explains the biblical meaning of grace, its role in salvation, and how it empowers Christian living. Word, PDF
Free Will: What is a will? What does “free” mean? Word, PDF
Does foreknowledge explain election? Does God elect people because he foresees they will believe? This common notion is refuted here. Word, PDF
Effectual Call: Irresistible Grace and God’s Sovereign Calling Word, PDF
Joyfully Justified: An 8-page guide on justification by faith. Ideal for group studies and Sunday school. Word, PDF
What is sanctification? Is this where we place our security of salvation? Word, PDF
Does God require perfect obedience? In James 2, we read that if we break one of God’s commands, we are guilty of breaking all of them. Is this fair? Word, PDF
Can a Christian lose salvation? The Doctrine of Preservation Explained. Word, PDF
Logic problems in Arminian theology: Refutes four of the most common logic errors on which Arminian theology is based. Word, PDF
What will judgment be like for Christians? Dread or joy? Rewards only or a review of failings? Here is a balanced and biblical perspective. Word, PDF
Sovereignty, providence, and suffering
Providence: What is it? Word, PDF
God’s sovereignty and Christian suffering: If we cannot resolve the old dilemma of a benevolent God who allows suffering, can we trust Him anyway? Word, PDF
God’s sovereignty and the problem of evil: Provides Christians with sound philosophical answers to show why this question is irrational. Word, PDF
How can God be holy and decree evil exists? How can God decree that evil should exist and yet be holy? Word, PDF
Church doctrine and worship
What does the Bible teach about baptism? Meaning, Mode and Infant Baptism. What is the biblical mode of baptism, and who is entitled to it? Word, PDF
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Word, PDF
Women’s ordination: Creation order or cultural tradition? Is it discriminatory to deny women ordination to ecclesiastical offices? This essay shows the intent is protective, not discriminatory, with other reasons why such ordinations are unbiblical. Word, PDF
Music in worship: Traditional hymns or contemporary songs? Traditional hymns or contemporary songs? Which is “right”? Word, PDF
Should churches sing only Psalms? This is a reformed reflection on psalmody. Does the Bible indicate we must sing Psalms only during worship? The answer may not be a simple yes or no. Word, PDF
Reference resources
Reformed Bible Reference Inserts
Apologetics
What is logic? The absolute nature of truth and reality: What is the basis of logic? Is it really a valid criterion for the evaluation of truth? Word, PDF
Is truth relative? Is truth relative, or does absolute truth really exist? The answer affects every area of life—from morality and logic to the Christian faith itself. Word, PDF
Relativism in the church—A Christian response: The notion that truth is a matter of personal perspective permeates our entire culture. How does this poison affect the church, and what can we do about it? Word, PDF
Who made God? The question about who made God sounds profound, but it actually rests on a misunderstanding of what Christians mean by God as the eternal First Cause. Word, PDF
Many paths to God? Examines the hidden assumptions behind claims of many paths to God and explains why Christ is the only Savior. Word, PDF
Why does God seem cruel in the Old Testament? Divine judgments in the Old Testament may seem excessively severe. Why? Word, PDF
Is Catholicism truly Christian? It depends on how we define it. The answer is not easy. Word, PDF
Evangelical-Catholic ecumenism: In a teaching seminar, the speaker declared we should unite with and help any Christian movement where the Holy Spirit seems to be moving, including Catholicism. Is this approach right? Word, PDF
Christian apologetics for kids: Twelve questions to inoculate your kids against post-modern relativism and brainwashing. Word, PDF
Christian Living
How to grow in faith: Genuine faith has many counterfeits. How do we tell the difference? Word, PDF
How to be guided by God: Finding God’s will becomes easier if we know what is the foundation. Word, PDF
Quit calling yourself a sinner: At least not all the time. After all, you have a new identity in Christ. Word, PDF
Shadow Eaters—Legalism and Christian Freedom in Reformed theology: Legalism can afflict any movement. How has it impacted the reformed? Word, PDF
What is a weak Christian? Romans 14 and our limits: In a Bible study on Romans 14, a lively discussion occurred on how to live out our freedom in Christ in the presence of weaker believers. What is a weaker believer, after all? Word, PDF
How to develop your spiritual gifts in ministry: A page of practical advice on how to develop a ministry gift God has given you. Word, PDF
How to evaluate spiritual gifts: Biblical criteria for revealing whether or not a spiritual gift manifestation is legitimate. Word, PDF
Healing—Faith vs. medicine: Is it a lack of faith to go to a doctor? Is physical healing in the atonement? Is there are difference between healing ministry in the days of Jesus and now? Word, PDF
Why does God allow suffering? A pastoral response to a Christian facing severe trials and asking why God allows suffering despite faithful obedience. Word, PDF
Christian wife with an unbelieving husband: How can a Christian wife live with an unsaved husband? How can she win him? Does God require her to submit to abuse? Word, PDF
Should Christians see secular psychologists for counseling? Radical differences exist between Christianity and many secular psychologists. Such incompatibilities may cause negative consequences if a believer is careless about the counsel given. Word, PDF
Yoga—Is it acceptable for Christians to practice it? That is doubtful, as Dr. Smalling explains. Word, PDF
What do Christians owe the poor? This article shows how liberal Christians confuse the difference between equality and equity, charity and social justice. Freedom of conscience is at the heart of the question. Word, PDF
Christian Leadership
Christian Leadership—Suffering, parity and service: How many Christian philosophies of leadership are there? Only one. Christ outlines it in Matthew 20. Word, PDF
Integrity—the foundation of Christian leadership: With this virtue, we can dispense with most management techniques. Word, PDF
Biblical rights of Christian ministers: Relationships among Christian leaders. We often talk about the duties of ministers. What about their rights? Are there rules in the way they treat one another? Word, PDF
Mentoring for leadership: The heart and meaning of mentoring for leadership. The last three chapters of Roger Smalling’s book on Christian Leadership. Word, PDF
Is formal church membership biblical? Some hold that the only requirement for church membership should be baptism and a profession of faith. A church membership list may not even be necessary. Is this biblical? Word, PDF
On the distinctions between teaching and ruling elders: Does the Bible teach one office or two? Word, PDF
Ordination of women to the office of deaconess—A Reformed perspective. Does the Bible permit women to hold this office? Word, PDF
What about women teaching in the church? A Reformed Perspective. When is it appropriate for women to teach in the church? Word, PDF
The dangers of hierarchy in Christian organizations: If we build Christian organizations on the model of corporate business America, what kind of moral and spiritual effects can we expect? Word, PDF
Wolves in the church—How biblical leaders protect the flock: Recognizing and dealing with them. Cults or other problematic people try to bother the people in your church. What are their characteristics? Word, PDF
Ruling elder exam: An exam for ruling elder candidates in the Presbyterian Church in America. Word, PDF
PCA Book of Church Order exam questions and study guide: Questions on the Presbyterian Book of Church Order to prepare candidates for ordination. Word, PDF
How to write effective study guides: A 12-page article describing the techniques Dr. Smalling uses to write his study guides. Helpful for teachers who want to improve their writing style and lesson preparation. Word, PDF