Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green

A Good Rule and a Better Choice

You can always count on the Olympics for some great stories. But then again, at a global get together of the world’s best athletes occurring only once every four years, the surprise would be if there were no stories—but no one’s ever had to worry about that. There have been some great stories from theContinue reading “A Good Rule and a Better Choice”

Romans and the Wrath of God

Romans has a lot to say about the wrath of God. In fact, the word is found there more than in any NT book other than Revelation. No one is surprised wrath is discussed in Revelation—but Romans? Isn’t Romans the book about God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness? What’s a book like that doing talkingContinue reading “Romans and the Wrath of God”

Pax Romana and the Peace of God

Caesar Augustus was the first emperor of Rome and its ruler when Christ was born (Luke 2:1). One of the challenges he faced when he came to power was the kingdom had been at war for two centuries due to either the expansion of its territories or internally though civil war. The result was a significantContinue reading “Pax Romana and the Peace of God”

The Call to Holiness

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is a joy to read for anyone involved in the ministry of the word in any form. The disciples there had a passion for the Lord. They imitated those who had taught them and “welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering” (1:6, see also 2:13). They said soContinue reading “The Call to Holiness”

How Great is our God

Through the paise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Psalm 8:3). Psalm 8 is a psalm that resonates with us in our era of space exploration. We’ve put people on the moon, launched innumerable satellites, and even put huge telescopes like the HubbleContinue reading “How Great is our God”

How do we see Hardship? (2)

Treating hardships as one-dimensional, one-size-fits-all occurrences that need to be prayed away ASAP is neither healthy nor holy. The biblical witness encourages us to view them as unique, layered, and existing for reasons we are often unable to understand. Our assignment is to, by faith, respond to them in a way that brings glory andContinue reading “How do we see Hardship? (2)”

How do we see Hardship? (1)

The first land battle of the Civil War was the Battle of Bull Run in Manassas, Virginia. It’s sometimes referred to as the “Picnic Battle.” After the capture of Fort Sumter by Confederate forces in April, both the North and the South had been enlisting men and building their armies. Nonetheless, many thought the conflictContinue reading “How do we see Hardship? (1)”

Reflecting on Jesus’ Passion

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15) The Passion of the Christ, the passion play—mostContinue reading “Reflecting on Jesus’ Passion”

High Touch or High Truth?

Unlike the synoptic writers who start with events surrounding Jesus’ birth (Matthew and Luke), or with the ministry of John the Baptizer (Mark), John’s gospel sets a cosmic tone as he goes all of the way back to the beginning. We hear echoes of Genesis 1 as he writes about the beginning, the word, and light. Some have suggestedContinue reading “High Touch or High Truth?”