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? Examines what the Bible means by the human will and whether fallen sinners are truly free to choose God without divine grace. Word, PDF
Does foreknowledge explain election? Does God elect people because he foresees that they will believe? Examines this common view in light of the biblical doctrine of election. Word, PDF
Effectual Call: Explains how God effectually calls sinners to Christ and why his saving grace succeeds in bringing his elect to faith. Word, PDF
Joyfully Justified: An 8-page guide on justification by faith. Ideal for group studies and Sunday school. Word, PDF
What is sanctification? What is sanctification, and how does it relate to justification and assurance of salvation? Where should Christians place their security? 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? Explains the doctrine of preservation and why those whom God saves will persevere in faith to the end. 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? Explains the biblical doctrine of providence and how God sovereignly governs and sustains his creation. 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 the claim that the existence of evil is incompatible with a sovereign and good God. Word, PDF
Church doctrine and worship
What does the Bible teach about baptism? Examines the meaning and mode of baptism, including the biblical basis for infant baptism and who is entitled to receive the sacrament. Word, PDF
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Examines the biblical meaning of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and its relationship to conversion and the Christian life Word, PDF
Women’s ordination: Is it discriminatory to restrict ecclesiastical office to qualified men? Examines creation order and other biblical reasons for the Reformed position on ordination. Word, PDF
Music in worship: Traditional hymns or contemporary songs—which is “right”? Examines biblical principles for evaluating music used in Christian worship. 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: Printable Bible reference inserts summarizing key Reformed doctrines and Scripture references for convenient study and teaching.
Apologetics
What is logic? What is the basis of logic? Is logic merely a human convention, or does it reflect the absolute nature of truth and reality? 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 culture. How does relativism affect the church, and how should Christians respond? 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. How should Christians understand them in light of God’s justice and holiness? Word, PDF
Is Catholicism truly Christian? It depends on how we define it. The answer is not easy. Word, PDF
Evangelical-Catholic ecumenism: Should evangelicals cooperate with Catholic movements when the Holy Spirit seems to be at work? Examines the biblical and doctrinal issues involved in such ecumenism. 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 can we recognize genuine faith and learn to grow in it? 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 Christian movement. How has it affected Reformed churches, and what does Christian freedom look like? Word, PDF
What is a weak Christian? What does Romans 14 mean by a “weaker” believer? How should Christians exercise their freedom in the presence of those with a weaker conscience? 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 determining 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 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
Why doesn’t God remove our weaknesses? God did not remove Moses’ weakness or Paul’s affliction. Their lives show how God displays his grace and faithfulness through human weakness. 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 much secular psychology. What should Christians consider before accepting secular psychological counsel? Word, PDF
Yoga—Is it acceptable for Christians to practice it? Can yoga be separated from its religious roots and practiced merely as exercise? Examines whether yoga is compatible with Christian faith. Word, PDF
What do Christians owe the poor? Examines the differences between equality and equity, charity and social justice, and the role of Christian freedom of conscience in helping the poor. 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: We often talk about the duties of Christian ministers. What about their rights? What biblical principles govern the way Christian leaders should treat one another? Word, PDF
How to deal with an incompetent leader: How can Christians respond to incompetent leadership without confusing biblical submission with with silent acceptance of blame or mistreatment? 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 can church leaders recognize and deal with those who threaten the spiritual welfare of the flock? What characteristics should leaders watch for? 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