Category: The Church and Society

How I Offended my Homeless Friend

Posted on by Eric Costanzo in James, New Testament, Personal, Poverty, Religion, Scripture Impressions and Digressions, Sermon Notes, The Church and Society

A few weeks ago, I preached a message at our church from James 2:14-18 (see below) in which I made the following statement: "James the Apostle understood that the poor, needy, and under-resourced are fertile ground for the good news we call the gospel message. They are often broken people who are keenly aware of … Continue reading How I Offended my Homeless Friend →

What are the grounds for calling someone a heretic or false teacher?

Posted on by Eric Costanzo in Heresy, Hot Button Commentary ;), Modern Evangelicalism, Orthodoxy, Pastors, The Church and Society, Twenty-First Century

Yesterday I listened to an older podcast of a pastor who, not long ago, was highly influential in my life. As a result of a major change in his ministry, my pastor friend is no longer at his church or currently involved in public preaching. To be clear, there was no moral failure associated with … Continue reading What are the grounds for calling someone a heretic or false teacher? →

Why Christians Should Celebrate Lent and the Venerable Bede

Posted on by Eric Costanzo in AD 450-800, Anglicanism, Catholicism, Celtic Christianity, Ecumenical, European Christianity, Holy Days, Holy Roman Empire, Middle Ages, Modern Evangelicalism, Monasticism, Preachers, The Christian Home, The Church and Society, Theologians

[This is part three of my series of articles entitled: "Hangin' with the Carolingians." The Carolingian dynasty, which encompassed nearly two centuries (AD 686-840), is a fascinating era. The Venerable Bede, who is the subject of this article, was an English contemporary of the Carolingians who was largely responsible for the rise of English literacy … Continue reading Why Christians Should Celebrate Lent and the Venerable Bede →