Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green

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? 2. We certainly find several texts telling usContinue reading “I See Trouble On The Way (3)”

I See Trouble On The Way (2)

Unpacking the text 1. Paul 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)”

Celebrating True Adventure (We Bought A Zoo)

Disappointments are measured in terms of expectations. I didn’t expect a lot out of We Bought a Zoo, so I was pleasantly surprised at how charming this family movie turned out to be. It’s totally over the top, like Disney’s Enchanted of a few years ago (though in its own way), but since it makes no pretense of being anythingContinue reading “Celebrating True Adventure (We Bought A Zoo)”

Believes All Things (The Miracle Worker)

Michael Gerson wrote of the “soft bigotry of low expectations.” His phrasing is as subtle and nuanced as the offense itself and reminded me of a visit our family made several years ago to Ivy Green, the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller. In the summers, William Gibson’s play, The Miracle Worker, is performed atContinue reading “Believes All Things (The Miracle Worker)”

Bearing The Suffering Of Others (Dunkirk)

Dunkirk is Christopher Nolan’s latest offering and it’s quite compelling. As with most of what he’s done (Memento, Inception, Interstellar), there are some interesting creative choices that have been made. There is little attempt to present the events of Dunkirk on the grand scale that it was (more than 300,000 troops were rescued by over 800 civilianContinue reading “Bearing The Suffering Of Others (Dunkirk)”

Be A Blessing (Schindler’s List)

God appears to Abraham and makes some remarkable promises to him. In Genesis 12:2-3,7, we read that God will: make him a great nation, bless him, making his name great, bless those who bless him, curse those who curse him, give him a land. An impressive list, don’t you think? But in the midst of all ofContinue reading “Be A Blessing (Schindler’s List)”

Atonement (Atonement)

Briony Tallis has it in her to be a writer of fiction at a very young age. She is intense, imaginative, and has just completed her first play, The Trials of Arabella, which was about, what else?—“the complications of love.” After all, she is thirteen and has a crush on her sister Cecilia’s suitor, Robbie. Nonetheless, all of theseContinue reading “Atonement (Atonement)”

At The Movies

Atonement (Atonement) Be A Blessing (Schindler’s List) Bearing The Suffering Of Others (Dunkirk) Believes All Things (The Miracle Worker) Better Days Are Coming (Places in the Heart) Buckling Up (The Bourne Identity) Celebrating True Adventure (We Bought A Zoo) Checked Your Anchor Lately (Hereafter) Christ On The Waterfront (On The Waterfront) Consider Yourself At HomeContinue reading “At The Movies”

“God Answered Our Prayer!”

“God answered our prayer!” we proclaim as someone who has been in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers is brought to better circumstances. We mean well by such a statement. We mean to bring glory to our Father and recognize what He has done. But the truth is, these words can be a poor way of expressing our joy.  Church bulletins,Continue reading ““God Answered Our Prayer!””