November, 2002

Dear Friends,

Only in France! The newly appointed Minister of Youth, Education and Research, Luc Ferry, is a Protestant philosopher. And he has just written a runaway best-seller, Qu’est-ce qu’une vie réussie? [What Is a Successful Life?]

Several things are unusual about this publishing event. First, most professional philosophers in Europe do not write accessible books for the larger public. They write meticulous, technical studies on points of interest to fellow scholars. Instead, Luc Ferry is functioning in the traditional role of a Socrates or Pascal, who acted as the public conscience, guiding their societies in facing the most important questions in life. Second, he notes the emptiness of many popular answers to the question, such as, getting rich, mastering a musical instrument, winning in athletics. Instead, he argues, as the best philosophers have always believed, we need “transcendence.”

To be sure, his answer is not specifically Christian. But the book has set off a great public discussion about the real purpose of life. Polls are showing that the French are deeply concerned with the summum bonum, the ultimate good. They greatly admire heroes of faith, like Solzhenitsyn, or Mother Theresa. Contrary to what many may think, it’s an extraordinary time, because so many are facing the big questions. It’s an extraordinary time for bringing answers, too.

As Professor Gordon Campbell of Aix-en-Provence stressed on his recent and much appreciated visit to America, the Reformed Seminary is well positioned to train leaders in the art of bringing thoughtful, biblical answers to a country that is asking all the right questions. As we come to the close of a difficult year financially, won’t you consider making a special, sacrificial gift toward their work? There could be no better investment. And thanks very much to all of you for your proven generosity.

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President