A Conversation with Linda Boice & Jean-Philippe Bru

Jean-Philippe Bru, Ruth Ann Leduc, Linda Boice

Jean-Philippe Bru, Ruth Ann Leduc, Linda Boice

The Huguenot Fellowship recently launched the fundraising campaign for the support of the Willaim Edgar Chair of Apologetics at Faculté Jean Calvin seminary in Aix-en-Provence, France.  And yet, this endeavor is not new for the Huguenot Fellowship, as the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology was launched 19 years ago. 

The legacy of former Tenth Presbyterian Church (Phila.) Pastor and Huguenot Fellowship Trustee, Dr. James Boice, continues in so many ways. Faculté Jean Calvin is one means whereby his influence continues through the ministry of Professor Jean-Philippe Bru, occupant of the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology at the seminary.  Linda Boice and Jean-Philippe sit down with Huguenot Fellowship Trustee Ruth Ann Leduc to talk about Dr. Boice's introduction to France, the ministry of the seminary, and his enduring legacy through this endowed Chair.

Listen to this 26-minute interview to hear how God led through divinely appointed circumstances to bless His Kingdom work in France, and how that legacy continues today through the teaching of practical theology.

Proposed Law on Separatism

Armed French police stand guard in front of Saint Augustin Church in Paris on October 31, 2020, in the wake of terror attacks in France.

Armed French police stand guard in front of Saint Augustin Church in Paris on October 31, 2020, in the wake of terror attacks in France.

May the Church be found Faithful 

The proposed Law to Uphold Republican Principles crossed another threshold on April 12th as the French Senate voted to uphold the bill designed to stem radical Islam that has been at the root of numerous terrorist attacks in France.  Yet these deliberations also represent a changing dynamic for the evangelicals in France, as the proposed law will present new restrictions and oversight within the evangelical church.

As Clement Diedrichs, General Director of the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF) says, “…the country’s leadership no longer has any desire to protect space for any faith.”

A joint committee of parliamentary deputies and senators will meet in May to further evaluate the bill before it is voted on by the National Assembly in July for final implementation.  

Throughout the months of deliberations, French Protestant leaders have been diligent in their discussions with the government in advocating for the religious freedoms that are so deeply engrained in French society with the separation of Church and State, while also calling the Protestant church to prayer and avoiding a mentality of victimization.  

Diedrichs says, “But since they are no longer in a Christian society, French evangelicals have to be witnesses to the gospel like the first Christians were in their non-Christian society.“

May the Church in France be a faithful witness to Gospel truth, and may the Lord give wisdom to evangelical leaders in discussions with the government.   

For further information, read this report in Christianity Today:

CT Article

Carrefour Théologique 2021

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We’re resending news of this April 12-17 event in order to include YouTube live-stream links to each presentation.

For those who comprehend spoken French, Faculté Jean Calvin’s upcoming conference Carrefour Théologique April 12-17 will focus on Generosity. See the program below featuring several professors from the Fac. (The times shown are for France. Subtract 6 hours for US Eastern Daylight Time, e.g., 19h30 is 13:30 or 1:30pm EDT.)

Please pray that this virtual conference will be a rich spiritual blessing for all who attend and participate!

Programme des conférences

Lundi 12 avril 2021 à 19h30

  • La générosité et le message des prophètes

  • Rodrigo De Sousa, professeur d’Hébreu et d’Ancien Testament à la FJC

  • https://youtu.be/LrpN2tRMcHQ

Mardi 13 avril 2021à 19h30

Mercredi 14 avril 2021à 19h30

  • Devoir de charité et prêt à intérêt dans l’éthique économique de Calvin

  • Michel Johner, professeur d’éthique et d’histoire à la FJC

  • https://youtu.be/7I63V77Oeds

Jeudi 15 avril 2021 à 19h30

  • Présentation du Traité de l’amour du prochain de Martin Bucer

  • Jean-Philippe Bru, professeur de théologie pratique à la FJC

  • https://youtu.be/Jf-b8XOnDdg

Vendredi 16 avril 2021 à 18h30

Vendredi 16 avril 2021 à 20h

Samedi 17 avril 2021à 19h30

Jean-Raymond Stauffacher

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Jean-Raymond Stauffacher, President of the Protestant Evangelical Reformed denomination in France (Union Nationale des Églises Protestantes Réformées Évangéliques de France, UNEPREF). and a graduate of Faculté Jean Calvin, talks with Ruth Ann Leduc, Huguenot Fellowship trustee, about the proposed law on separatism, currently being debated in the French legislature. Learn how this law could adversely affect God’s church in France.

Click to view this 9-minute video.