Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green

History And His Story (Be Kind Rewind)

Be Kind Rewind is a quirky sort of movie that has something to say about change, nostalgia, and community. What I have to say here is really less about the movie itself and more about the modern mindset reflected in one of the movie’s pivotal scenes. The setup is that some people in the town of Passaic,Continue reading “History And His Story (Be Kind Rewind)”

Great Expectations (My Sister’s Keeper)

We went to see a movie that was adapted from a popular novel. Of the three of us, only one had read the book. It wasn’t a great movie and when I was told how the novel ended, it was puzzling to me why the movie deviated so significantly (the books’ ending sounded much moreContinue reading “Great Expectations (My Sister’s Keeper)”

Going Viral (Contagion)

The movie Contagion reminds us where the phrase going viral comes from. Set in the present, it tells the story of two organizations (the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization), trying to control the rapid spread of an unknown virus.  But it’s not a sensationalistic, techno-thriller, with a single storyline of man vs. mutating virus.  Instead, it’s severalContinue reading “Going Viral (Contagion)”

Getting In The Way Of God (Freedomland)

Freedomland is a gritty little picture about people in need of redemption (are there any other kind?). There’s a woman named Brenda, whose young son has died as a result of her negligence. Rather than admit to this, she has secretly buried his body and concocted a story about having her automobile carjacked while her son was inContinue reading “Getting In The Way Of God (Freedomland)”

Feeling God’s Pleasure (Chariots Of Fire)

You’d have to go a long way to find a better movie, or better subject for a movie, than Chariots of Fire and Eric Liddell. Though he was born in China (his parents were missionaries there), Liddell was Scottish. He had a heart for God that shined through absolutely everything he did. The movie focuses primarily upon Liddell’sContinue reading “Feeling God’s Pleasure (Chariots Of Fire)”

Consider Yourself At Home (Oliver)

Oliver! is the stage adaptation of the Dickens’s classic, Oliver Twist.  It was later made into a movie which won several academy awards, including picture of the year. Whether it’s the book, the play, of the movie, the gist of the story concerns a nine year old orphan named Oliver and his struggle to survive. As the story begins,Continue reading “Consider Yourself At Home (Oliver)”

Christ On The Waterfront (On The Waterfront)

On the Waterfront is a hopelessly dated movie. It’s in black and white (and grey). With the exception of Eva Marie Saint, all of the principal actors are deceased. The soundtrack is definitely from another era. You’ll have a tough time trying to sell it to anyone at your house on movie night. So if you do try, be prepared forContinue reading “Christ On The Waterfront (On The Waterfront)”

I See Trouble On The Way (3)

Historically speaking 1. If the man of lawlessness represents a pronounced escalation of evil and apostasy, is there any way for us to identify it? Can we look back at some point in the first century (or afterward) and say this is what Paul was talking about? Are Paul’s words even meant to be takenContinue reading “I See Trouble On The Way (3)”

I See Trouble On The Way (2)

Unpacking the text 1. He tells the Thessalonians that Jesus will not return “until the rebellion occurs, and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (2:3). So, we have two things to work with—the rebellion and the revealing of the man of lawlessness who is also referred to as “the man doomed to destruction” (v. 3).Continue reading “I See Trouble On The Way (2)”