Here’s an interesting 11-minute YouTube video: Why France is suddenly full of evangelicals. Produced by ENTR, a secular European social media content network, it reports that evangelicals now number 1 million in France, having grown from only 50,000 in 1950. We also learn that a new church in France is being formed every 10 days. Although it may not be entirely accurate on all points, it’s generally positive, and it’s wonderful to see the growing visibility of evangelical Christians in France.
La France Que J’aime
Gordes, France
William Edgar
Not atypically, in my latter years I am reviewing my life. Much of it has been marvelous, I am happy to say. But I have also assessed a number of my failures. One of them may surprise you. During our time working at the FLTR (now Faculté Jean Calvin) in Aix-en-Provence the French Revolution was commemorated. Exactly 200 years before the commemoratives, July 14, 1789, one of the greatest events in modern history had occurred.
Being an academic institution, and being French, we held a colloquium on the subject. The meetings were fascinating. We had invited a cast of remarkable scholars to present their analysis of the Revolution. A bit intimidated, I was urged to give a lecture. I did so before a packed house. At the end, one of my dearest friends rather sheepishly told me I had not realized this event was so important for the French, even for Protestants that he felt I had been unfair.
The essence of my talk was indeed that the French Revolution had a nefarious effect on European history. I relied heavily on two sources. The First was a classic in my field of apologetics. Guillaume Groen Van Prinsterer’s work Revolution and Unbelief, 1847 (in English translation from the Dutch) is a long book explaining that the fundamental cause of the French Revolution was not in recent famines, nor even in the resentment of the aristocracy, but in secularism.[1] Groen was one of the architects of the Dutch revival, and a key influence on Abraham Kuyper. Kuyper (1837-1920) is sometimes known as “Father Abraham” because of his remarkable influence on Christian worldview thinking.
The second is a powerful book called Fire in the Minds of Men. Written by James Billington, it is a study of the modern revolutionary spirit, including long sections about the French Revolution.[2] Among other things Billington examines the spiritual forces that underlay all revolutions. He describes the atmosphere at the Palais Royale with its cafés, symbolic of a modernist mentality. The Café Mécanique provided its service using robots. The Café Foy was the hub for revolutionary journalists. Jumping up on a table at Foy Camille Desmoulins called on the crowd to storm the Bastille.
In agreement with these studies, my lecture argued that the origins of the French Revolution were religious, though negative. Today I still stand by my diagnosis. Why then was my friend offended? The answer is found in a remarkable book by Franz-Olivier Giesbert, Voyage dans la France d’avant.[3] Giesbert is a public intellectual, a remarkable writer, and currently editor-in-chief of the popular newsweekly Le Point. This book in intended to be the final volume in his series on the history of the Fifth Republic, one that he observed close up and personal.
Giesbert devotes several chapters to the French Revolution. He agrees that the causes were not primarily a famine, nor the errors of the aristocracy, so many of them put to death by the Guillotine, the instrument of the eradication of some two million people during each phase of the Revolution. Giesbert goes into grisly details about the cruelty of the Revolutionary leaders, especially Maximillien Robespierre (1758-1794). But he asks why the Revolution means so much to so many French people. “Pourquoi les Français ont-ils toujours le culte de la Révolution?”[4]
To be sure, Giesbert exhibits no sympathy with the overall picture that can be painted. But his carefully argued answer is that to understand the French both then and now one must understand their frustration with the slow pace of any social improvements. He suggests Louis XVI committed the serious error of honoring his opponents by giving them a voice. What exactly is wrong with that? The two sides had no way to discuss the issues with civility. Something had to give. It did, ending in catastrophe. The “Restoration” was an attempt at moving forward, while correcting the excesses of the Revolution.
Today, there still exist two sides, the one favoring change using violence if necessary, the other wanting to preserve the status quo. Hopes had run high in the Revolutionary spirit, but they were dashed. My error? I did not sufficiently appreciate the legitimacy of those hopes. No doubt they were insufficiently oriented. Only in Christ can our hopes be guaranteed to yield good results. Still, I should have paused to realize how the hopes of French people are a fundamental component of being human.
The colloquia on the Revolution are spent. I will not be able to rewrite my lecture. I do believe I know better and wish I could go back and do that. I’ll bet that if I re-read Groen and Billington I would find more positive notes than I did at the time.
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[1] A modern version of this book, translated by Harry Van Dyke, is available from Lexham Publishers, a division of Baker Book House.
[2] Now available from Routledge in Boston, MA.
[3] Paris: Gallimard, 2025.
[4] Why do the French hold to the worship of the Revolution?
Bon bout d'An !
Joyeux Noël ! Bonne Année !
As they say in Provence, "Bon bout d'An !" (Good end of the year!)
We hope you're having a wonderful holiday season.
Yannick Imbert, Professor of Apologetics at Faculté Jean Calvin, has recently published a poem, The embers , at Spirit Fire Review whose “…goal is to celebrate the presence and love of God, each other, and the magnificence of life through the beauty and power of poetry, creative nonfiction, visual art, and music.”
Practical Theology
Jean-Philippe Bru is Professor of Practical Theology at Faculté Jean Calvin (current occupant of the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology, named after the late long-time pastor of Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church, author, broadcaster, and Trustee of The Huguenot Fellowship.)
Jean-Philippe has graciously provided information (below) on the courses which comprise the study of Practical Theology at FJC. It’s wonderful that the training not only includes a deep understanding of God’s Word in the tradition of the Reformation, but also with strong emphasis on it’s practical application to ministry.
Please consider partnering with us in supporting Faculté Jean Calvin and it’s important mission of training pastors, missionaries, and lay-workers to serve Christ in the French-speaking world.
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Bachelor’s Degree (Licence)
TP101 – Principles and Practice of Christian Preaching
This course introduces the theological foundations and practical skills of Christian preaching. Students will explore the nature of biblical proclamation, sermon preparation, structure, and delivery, with attention to faithfulness to Scripture and pastoral sensitivity to the congregation.
TP102 – Spiritual Disciplines and the Means of Grace
This course examines the classic spiritual disciplines as means by which God nurtures spiritual growth. Emphasis is placed on Scripture, prayer, sacraments, and communal practices, integrating theological reflection with personal and ministerial application.
TP103 – Theology and Practice of the Spiritual Life
This course provides a theological framework for understanding Christian spirituality. Students will explore biblical, historical, and pastoral perspectives on spiritual formation, holiness, suffering, and perseverance in the Christian life.
TP104 – Gospel-Centered Conflict Resolution
This course addresses the nature of conflict in personal, ecclesial, and ministry contexts. Students will learn to approach conflict through the lens of the gospel, emphasizing reconciliation, forgiveness, truth, and redemptive peacemaking.
TP105 – Foundations of Christian Teaching
This course focuses on the theology and practice of Christian education. Students will examine biblical models of transmission of faith, pedagogical principles, and strategies for nurturing mature disciples within the church.
TP106 – Theology and Practice of Christian Worship
This course explores the biblical and theological foundations of Christian worship. Students will study the elements, forms, and historical development of worship, with practical reflection on planning and leading services that are God-centered and edifying.
TP107 – Pastoral Theology and Church Care
This course introduces core aspects of pastoral theology, focusing on shepherding, oversight, and care within the local church. Topics include pastoral identity, leadership, spiritual oversight, and caring for individuals and the congregation as a whole.
TP108 – Pastoral Care and Counseling
This course provides an introduction to pastoral care and basic counseling skills. Students will learn to listen well, offer biblically grounded guidance, and provide spiritual support in situations of suffering, crisis, and personal struggle.
TP109 – Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Church Growth
This course examines church growth from biblical and theological perspectives. Students will assess models of growth, mission, and evangelism, with critical reflection on faithfulness, health, and maturity in the life of the church.
Master’s Degree
TP201 – Theology and Practice of Church Revitalization
This course explores theological principles and practical strategies for the renewal of declining or struggling churches. Students will analyze spiritual, cultural, and organizational factors affecting church vitality and develop biblically grounded revitalization approaches.
TP202 – Advanced Pastoral Counseling
This course builds on foundational pastoral care skills, focusing on more complex counseling situations. Students will engage ethical issues, relational dynamics, and integrative approaches that combine theological depth with pastoral wisdom.
TP203 – Theology and Practice of Church Planting
This course examines the biblical, theological, and missional foundations of church planting. Students will explore contextualization, leadership development, and practical models for establishing new congregations faithful to the gospel and responsive to their context.
Conf'Théo
On November 6th, the Faculté Jean Calvin launched a new series of evening lectures: the Conf’Théo, gatherings designed to offer an accessible exploration of biblical, theological, and apologetic themes. This first evening focused on the theme: How Jesus succeeded where Adam failed. Through a biblical journey, from Adam’s calling to Christ’s perfect obedience, we rediscovered the Gospel as the story of a world recreated by the last Adam. The recording of the lecture is available on the Faculty’s YouTube channel.
Around one hundred people were present: students, alumni, friends of the Faculté, pastors, and members of churches from the Aix-en-Provence and Marseille area, as well as from Nîmes and Anduze!
The evening continued with a lively and engaging question-and-answer session, followed by a wonderful, convivial buffet prepared in the student residence and served by FJC students and other members of the residence. A wonderful opportunity to reflect on faith, nurture the Churches, and build bridges between the Faculté and the Churches.
We are already looking forward to the next Theological Conference, which will take place on January 22, 2026. Richard Conrad, lecturer at the FJC, will address the question: Are the texts of the New Testament reliable? This will be another opportunity to explore together the foundations of our faith and to encourage the life of our Churches.
May our Lord bless these gatherings!
Pierre-Sovann Chauny,
Professor of Systematic Theology
Faculté Jean Calvin
Pastors Faithfully Serving in France
Each year the pastors of the Evangelical Reformed Church of France gather for a time of professional development, fellowship and encouragement.
Every two or three years, the spouses and children join for a family retreat. https://www.unepref.com/
The theme this year was 'Caring Communication'- in the Family and Church". The children piggy-backed on the theme, learning about James 3, as well as how Jesus used the power of words in His own caring communication.
It was a logistical feat to coordinate housing and food for 105 people, as well as spaces for the children at the Christian camp tucked away in the beauty of the Cévennes mountains.
The vast majority of pastors in the UNEPREF are graduates of Faculté Jean Calvin.
Friends, this is the fruit of our labors in the Huguenot Fellowship. Would you please join us in supporting these faithful servants through your prayers and financial support? www.huguenotfellowship.org
Would you pray for these pastors as they serve in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse and villages in the Cévennes and Pyrenees mountains, as well as military, hospital and airport chaplaincy?
Pray for :
- refreshment in their own devotional times and abiding in the Lord's presence;
- protection over their marriages and families;
- resilience and discernment in preaching Gospel Hope in the hard soil of the secular French context;
- unity and strength for the denominational leaders as they juggle local church responsibilities as well as the broader vision of growth for the denomination;
- financial needs and strengthening of churches as so many local congregations are unable to pay a full-time pastor;
- God to raise up more pastors to fill the many churches without a full- time pastor.
The Huguenot Fellowship is privileged to support Faculté Jean Calvin as it trains pastors to serve in the French Church. Join us!
Faculté Jean Calvin Videos
Faculté Jean Calvin has several dozen edifying videos posted on YouTube. Although these are in French, it’s now possible to read the closed caption subtitles in English.
To check this out:
Click here, then select a video and click on it to start it playing.
If an ad appears, let it play until the “Skip” button appears to the right, then click on it.
FJC’s video will start, but put it on pause by clicking on the “II” button on the bottom left corner of the window. (Your cursor will need to hover over the window for it to appear.)
Next click on the CC button toward the bottom right side of the window. (A red line will then appear under it.)
Next, click on the gear-shaped button just to the right of the CC button.
A drop-down menu will appear, click on Subtitles/CC.
A new drop-down menu will appear, click on Auto-Translate.
A new drop-down menu will appear, scroll down and click on English.
Click on the Play Button (>) on the bottom left side of the window and begin reading the subtitltes in English.
At this point, you may wish to silence the audio to more easily focus on reading. And, since reading is normally faster rate than listening, you may wish to click on that gear-shaped button again, click on Playback Speed and increase it to suit your comfort level.
YouTube’s auto-translate does a remarkably good job, much improved from earlier versions on other apps and platforms. Some words, such as uncommon proper nouns, may not be spelled correctly.
Auto-dubbing is in the works and may be available in months, not years.
We hope this advancement in technology will enhance your understanding and appreciation for the Faculté Jean Calvin, as it trains dedicated students to serve the Lord in the French-speaking world.
Your faithful support is needed now more than ever with the growing demand for biblically well-trained pastors, missionaries, and lay-workers in France and beyond. Thank you!
Nicolas Fines Interview
Nicolas Fines Ruth Ann Leduc
Huguenot Fellowship Trustee Ruth Ann Leduc talks with Nicolas Fines who is in his final year of Master's studies at the Faculté Jean Calvin seminary in Aix-en-Provence, France. Coming from a family of pastors, what a blessing to hear about Nicolas' own spiritual journey and his "embracing his heritage", leading him to pursue theological studies.
To view the interview click here.
He highlights three prayer requests:
- Patience - A calling to ministry comes with such passion and a desire to move forward in the Lord's work. Students in theology need patience to fully benefit from this time of study and all that the Lord wants to teach them.
- French denomination UNEPREF https://www.unepref.com/ - The majority of pastors in the Evangelical Reformed denomination did their pastoral training at Faculté Jean Calvin. Pray for revitalization of the French church, encouragement for its pastors and wisdom for its leaders.
- Healthy balance for pastors in their marriages and family life. Juggling family needs and personal life with the demands of ministry is always a challenge.
Would you please join us at the Huguenot Fellowship in supporting Faculté Jean Calvin and students like Nicolas? May the Lord raise up many more Nicolas to advance the work of His Kingdom in France.