Point Of Light In A Frustrated Society

May 2012

Dear Friends,

     For the first time in 17 years the “left” is back in power. France’s new President, François Hollande, is from the Socialist Party, having handily defeated the incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy. Two other candidates, Marine Le Pen, from the rightist National Front and Jean-Luc Mélanchon, the far-left candidate, helped draw votes away from Sarkozy.

     Many reasons could be cited for this change. Among them are a general frustration with the program of “austerity” promulgated by the now defeated UMP (Union pour un Mouvement Populaire). Another is the return of populism to French culture, something that appeared to be closer to Hollande’s style than his rival’s. Sarkozy had stressed tightening up on immigration, which was appealing for a while to those who worry about the considerable Muslim presence in France, but is now less of a front-burner item.

     At the deepest level, though, France is simply experiencing the same kind of frustration found in Greece, Italy, Spain, and many other European countries, with the possible exception of Germany. The root of that frustration is a kind of ennui, which translates into a certain hopelessness. Into that context comes a fresh voice, one which is vague enough to be interpreted as hopeful. To be sure, Hollande has pledged various changes, such as creating “Eurobonds” for infrastructure projects, raising money through financial transactions rather than taxes, creating more jobs through the European Investment Bank. Unlike some of his fellow Socialists, he is pro-Europe. But when the reality sets in, which it always does, he may find himself in the position of many who have made such promises, and bumped up against the wall of uncontrollable economic factors.

     Not to sound simplistic, for the situation is indeed very complex, but in order truly to foster hope, yet another voice is needed. I am referring to the Good News of the Gospel. There are signs, as we speak, of the intrusion of the light of Christ into France in particular, and Europe in general. One of those points of light is surely our Seminary in Aix-en-Provence. While the older faculty is moving on, younger, very capable professors are being hired. One of them is the new holder of the Boice Chair, Jean-Philippe Bru. More about him in the next newsletter. Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

Founding Fathers Retire

February 2012

Dear Friends,

     The subject of this newsletter is bitter-sweet. Two of the “founding fathers,” two giants in the Reformed Faith in France, are retiring from the Seminary at Aix. Although they will have successors, in one way their shoes are impossible to fill.

     Paul Wells came to Aix, with his wife Alison, and their family, before the beginning. That is, they arrived before the official opening of 1974, to teach some courses and help create the new Seminary. Paul not only recruited a solid team of instructors, but established the Chair of Systematic Theology, which he has occupied now for 38 years. He has been a prolific author, writing in both languages, French and English. His doctoral dissertation was published in 1980, on the subject: James Barr and the Bible: A Critique of a New Liberalism. Professor Barr himself attended the defense, and praised the book! Paul is one of the most able theologians in Europe. He is an active minister in the Evangelical Reformed Church, and Alison co-authored a fresh Sunday School curriculum for the church. Paul and Alison have lived on the campus all these years, having poured themselves into the work. Their children, Anna, Judith and Jonathan are grown and married. The Wells look forward to moving back to their native England.

     Pierre Berthoud was recruited in the Seminary’s second year from l’Abri, where he and his wife Danièle were working alongside Dr Francis Schaeffer. A Swiss, born in South Africa, his training is in Old Testament and the Hebrew language. He taught in the Old Testament and Apologetics departments, and served as the Doyen (Seminary President) for 19 years. Besides his speaking and writings, Pierre has been a tireless leader in numerous organizations. I have lost count of how many boards he sits on, and presides over, but among the most significant are La Ligue (Scripture Union), the World Reformed Fellowship, the Parvis des Arts, the National Council of the French Evangelical Alliance, and the Fellowship of European Evangelical Theologians. Pierre is a consummate statesman. Danièle has been active in editing, and spearheading the Study Abroad Program in France for Gordon College, from which she will retire this year. The Berthoud’s children, Philippe, Damaris, Arielle and Stéphanie are grown and well established in their careers. Pierre and Danièle plan to stay in Aix-en-Provence and continue to lend a hand in many ministries as well as entertain their eight grand children.

     Words fail me to express the debt the Seminary owes to these two men and their families. Even more difficult is expressing my own personal gratitude for these two colleagues, who are among my dearest friends. All we can say, is “Thank you, dear Lord, for your rare gift.”

Very Truly Yours,
 

William Edgar, President

Celebration Provençale

November 2011

Dear Friends,

     Christmas and the New Year are celebrated in a distinctive way in Southern France. A traditional piece of theater called “Pastorale provençale” is performed. It goes back to the Medieval mystery plays. Skits and routines are featured, all culminating in a crèche scene that gathers the different personalities from the area, as well as Mary and Joseph and the animals. A bit chaotic, yet it is meant to represent the coming of Jesus Christ for every kind of person. Families then go home to celebrate the “repas maigre,” a sparse meal, which really isn’t! Dessert, for example, is “les treize desserts,” that is, thirteen different dishes, plus “la pompe à l’huile,” a marvelous olive oil flavored bread.

     New Year’s Eve, combined with the Feast of Saint Sylvestre, is a bit more for friends beyond the family. It features the “réveillon,” a party where you eat and eat, and stay up until the clock sounds midnight. Today, even unbelievers enjoy these feasts. The church has a great opportunity to remind everyone what it is all about. Surprisingly, many French people are quite open to such a reminder.

     We can (almost) take you there! As Christmas approaches once more, we have a special offer for our donors. If you send in a gift of $200 or more, before December, we will send you a CD called La Nativité. Recorded in 1984 by the choir of the seminary in Aix, conducted by the incomparable Gerald Boyer, assisted by Eleanore Boyer, it is gorgeous. One of the soloists is Kim Tran whom some of you heard at our “Chairs for the Chair” event in September.

     And, if this is above your budget, then for $100 we will send you a beautiful 2012 calendar with Phil Barackman’s pictures of Provence, all designed by our dear friend, Judith Mitchell. And if you want both, you can have them for $250.

     We are coming close to the finish line on the Boice Chair. These gifts could get us there. Many thanks for all of your faithfulness and generosity. Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

Addiction To Always More

September 2011

Dear Friends,

     Le mal français? - That is the cover story of the leading newsweekly, Le Point. “What Is Wrong with France?” is a rough translation. What do you think? This great country, with its rich heritage of Christian culture, heartland of the Reformation, revolutionary thirst for human rights, Impressionism, the New Wave in cinema, most beautiful city in the world: Paris, most desirable place to live: France...

     What could be wrong? Misguided foreign policy? An over- protective welfare state? Lost youth? Secularization? These are good guesses. But the conclusion of the Le Point cover story is simpler... Debt! Indeed, whereas under former president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1980) the budgetary deficit was a mere 1.2 billion Euros (1.7 billion Dollars) today, under president Sarkozy, the amount is 135.5 billion Euros (196 billion Dollars), and counting!

     Still, the brilliant editor of this magazine, Claude Imbert, tells us that behind the debt crisis is a spiritual one. He calls it an addiction to “always more.” Somehow, no one has told French people that money is a finite commodity. He quickly adds that this is a Western problem, not just a French one. Most countries are desperately covering up the crisis with rescue operations of all kinds. But now, the hour of truth is upon us. It’s time for penitence, he says!

     What better diagnosis could we ask for from a basically non- religious magazine? But what greater remedy than simply the Gospel? That is what the Faculté Jean Calvin stands for. Too simple? Too formulaic? Not at all. The “good news” is that “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). His real wealth will never put us in deficit! And it’s free!

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

P.S. If you live nearby, do come to the Chairs for the Chair event September 16, at the Philadelphia Country Club, 7:00-9:00 pm.

Fruitful Trip To France

May 2011

Dear Friends,

     We have just returned from France, where we spent one week in Paris and one week in Aix-en-Provence. In Paris we attended a colloquium on “The Church and Politics.” The timing could not have been better, as the French government had just decreed that no one could be in any public place with a covered face. Although the official reason given was security, the new law would clearly affect Muslim women more than anyone else. Since 1905 French policy has sponsored “la laïcité,” that is, a neutral, lay state. One must wonder whether neutrality has not become a new religion.

     We also were able to meet with various church leaders and church- planters. Although their efforts are for the long term, we saw many signs of hope, including the favorable mood among young people toward spiritual things. Called by Grace Davie, “believing without belonging,” it seems many Europeans want to acknowledge a higher power yet without being cramped by doctrines or institutions. So, one emphasis these leaders try to communicate is that worship, like love, requires a structure.

     In Aix we worked at the Reformed Seminary, where I was able to teach two courses and sit on a doctoral panel. It was gratifying to see two Westminster graduates holding key positions at the school, Paul Wells, the current Dean, and Yannick Imbert, professor of apologetics. Enrollment is solid, and we were once again impressed by the marvelous faithfulness of this community, nearly 40 years on from its founding. The one significant change is that Frédéric Hammann is leaving to take up a new ministry in Switzerland. The Seminary plans to hire an interim coordinator for the practical theology department. None of this affects the Boice Chair.

     Please find enclosed a “save-the-date” flier for our grand soirée, September 16, 2011, at the Philadelphia Country Club. Proper invitations will be sent over the summer.

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

Social Upheaval

November 2010

Dear Friends,

     By the time you read this things may have calmed down in France. Prime Minister François Fillon has resigned. And for weeks the country has been afflicted with nearly paralyzing strikes, and violent demonstrations. The immediate issue is raising the retirement age for state employees from 60 to 62, and the age for receiving full pensions from 65 to 67. For many onlookers this does not appear to be so controversial. Is there another side?

     What worries young people is that they often cannot find permanent jobs until they are I their late 20s, because of the massive unemployment in France. Being required to work 40 years before benefitting from pension funds, this could mean people might have to work into their 70s. Furthermore, the world population is aging. In itself that is geed news, but the graying of humanity will present unique challenges to supporting the elderly. Unless something changes, fewer and fewer (the young) will be supporting more and more people (the aging).

     In order to resolve this issue, and many others related to it, it won’t be enough just to crunch numbers, raise taxes, juggle with retirement age, and the like. And certainly violence will not help. France and Europe, and indeed much of the planet, will need to do some soul-searching on matters relating to life itself. The care of the elderly has highest priority in biblical ethics. The Reformed Seminary in Aix, now named Faculté Jean Calvin, has a strong emphasis on Christian ethics, particularly under the leadership of Professor Michel Johner. Please join us in praying for the Seminary and leaders like Michel. As we draw closer to Christmas, do remember them in your giving as well. We would dearly love to complete the Boice Chair. And, thank you very much for your faithful support over the years.

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

Our Basic Numbers

September 2010

Dear Friends,

     Warm greetings to everyone. In many zones, that means a very, very warm kind of greeting! If you are living in Aix-en-Provence, well, they are pleasantly in the mid-80s. But in many other parts of the globe, record highs are posted.

     Let me do something a bit different with this newsletter. Several friends have asked for updates on our basic numbers. This is a fair question, the answers to which are mostly quite encouraging.

     Let’s begin with Aix-en-Provence. If you have never done this, please do visit their excellent website: http://www.fltr.net/. Currently, Aix has slightly over 100 students enrolled. About half of those are distance students. The rest live either on campus or in the neighborhood. All the degree programs are full and excelling in quality. The professors are marvelously solid, and are more and more involved in lecturing, publishing, and working in the church. Three are just finishing their doctoral dissertations.

     For those who are interested, fiscal year 2009 in Aix showed a deficit of 85,651 Euros (about $108,800). In the current year it’s struggling, really struggling, as of now. If you check the recent report from Treasurer Patrick Keller on their web site, you will find the pie charts explaining percentages of costs and income. Not unexpectedly, salaries and benefits for instructors and administrators (with the very high rate of taxation) represent the great majority of expenses.

     The Huguenot Fellowship’s principal mission is to support the Seminary and its professors. The total goal of our James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology is $750,000. To date, we’re about 2/3 there! In addition, until it is finished, we have committed to supporting the Chair’s occupant, Frédéric Hammann, to the tune of $48,000 per year, far less than what a full-time professor needs, but all we can afford.

     I hope this is helpful information. While the numbers are somewhat concerning, the fact is, year after year, the Lord has provided. Not a cause for sloth, but still, we are very encouraged. And how can we thank you enough for your own generous participation in this great cause?

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

Louis Gaussen, Bible Apologist

May 2010

Dear Friends,

     It is generally believed that the Enlightenment, capped by the French Revolution, more or less snuffed out any remaining strength in the Huguenot community. It is further believed that the French evangelical church has never quite recovered from those onslaughts. But the rumors of the death of the church in France are exaggerated!

     Although indeed battered, a remarkable awakening spread throughout much of the French-speaking church in the 19th century. Stemming from centers such as Geneva, Paris and Montauban, it grew into a robust movement. At the heart of it was the defense of the Scripture. One extraordinary Bible apologist was Louis Gaussen (1790-1863). His masterpiece, titled Theopneustie (“God-breathed,” from 2 Timothy 3:16), became a best-seller. As he explains early in the book, “by this term we recognize the mysterious power which the Holy Spirit effected upon the authors of the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, enabling them to compose what the church has received from their hands.”

     From this premise Gaussen goes on to defend the veracity of the Bible at every point. He explores various places where there are apparent contradictions, and offers resolutions which are “simple” and “evident.” He does the same as he reconciles the Bible with recent discoveries from science. He affirms that a proper understanding of the biblical text, plus a humble yet critical reception of what science may be saying, should put to rest most of the supposed contradictions between the Bible and science.

     Gaussen was not alone. Nor are solid, evangelical scholars in France today, who have continued in his spirit. A good number of them are laboring at the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence. They covet your prayers and your support. A defense of the Bible is still crucial for the church in France today. Many thanks.

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President