Of Hope, Victory, Celebration

September 2006

Dear Friends,

     Paul Cézanne painted the mountain, Sainte Victoire, over 60 times during his career. Why was he drawn to this strange, granite protrusion just outside of Aix-en-Provence? Cézanne was conscious of human mortality. And he believed art needed to show a way to hope. And so, he painted this mountain, not the way an impressionist might, but as the new Moses, receiving the “law” requiring that nature’s true spirit be uncovered, and thus projecting hope. Indeed, this mountain was the site in 102 B.C. of the victory of Marius, the Christian, over the pagan Teutonic troupes. Cézanne’s works were constructions of meaning on a canvas, rather than an imitation of scenery. He showed the way for the future.

     In June the Huguenot Fellowship sponsored a wonderful trip to Aix, under the sure leadership of the Barackmans. The occasion was the 100th anniversary of Cézanne’s death. We celebrated the artist in a number of ways. We visited the newly renovated museum, which had 117 of the master’s paintings on exhibit: truly a feast. A high point was a concert, at Saint Jean de Malte, the large Gothic church attached to the museum. Entitled, “L’Amérique rend homage à Paul Cézanne,” it was a double-header. The first part was gospel music with Ruth Naomi Floyd accompanied by myself. The second was an organ recital by our friend Vincent Treadway, to dedicate their new Kern organ. Included in the program were two pieces I had written for the occasion. The audience rose to its feet with enthusiasm. Encores were required. What an evening!

     The other high point was graduation at the Reformed Seminary. We saw five students proudly receive their diplomas. Some were already in ministry, others about to commence. It was a powerful reminder of why we exist. Our Fellowship’s mission is to provide resources for the Seminary, so that the Kingdom of God may extend in the French-speaking world. Now, there is the true way for the future: preaching Christ’s “holy victory” to the nations.

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

A Truly Global Outreach

May 2006

Dear Friends,

     The Reformed Seminary in Aix is a French-speaking Seminary, located in France. However, it has a truly global outreach. Here are some of the ways.

     - Strategic partnerships. The Seminary officially collaborates with Emmaüs, a Swiss Bible Institute of the highest caliber. Other such partnerships include the Bible school near Paris called Nogent. Aix partners in less formal ways with F.A.T.E.B., an evangelical seminary in Bangui, Central African Republic. This academy has a strategic location, as the country borders with Sudan, the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and (the volatile) Chad.

     - Professors’ connections. Most of the professors at Aix travel regularly to various locations inside and outside of France. Paul Wells has recently been to Korea, the United States, Romania and Quebec, among other places. Pierre Berthoud, also a world traveler, was just in South Africa for the World Reformed Fellowship. Michel Johner delivers lectures on Christian ethics in a variety of settings. Our teachers also publish widely.

     - Students’ connections. To begin with, the student body is remarkably international. Also, once a year, in February, every M.Div student is sent out for internships in various settings and in various places. The wonderful seminary choir also tours regularly, bringing the gospel to great numbers through music. One of the graduates and his wife, both Kabyle converts from Islam, currently work among thousands of Christians in Algeria (estimates place the number of Christians there between 60,000 and 80,000, and at some services there are 500 in attendance).

     And the stories can be multiplied. In our global village, despite the dangers, opportunities for ministry are far greater than the supply of servants to minister. A nice problem to have, but a problem nevertheless. Any help to support this planetary outreach through Aix would be gratefully received.

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

The Religious Future of The Continent

February 2006

Dear Friends,

     European intellectuals are thinking more than ever about the religious future of the Continent. Some of the predictions are tired truisms. For example, Giorgio Vattimo, the Italian post-modern Roman Catholic, together with the American Pragmatist Richard Rorty, argue for a “liberation from dogma,” in their recent book, The Future of Religion. If the church is to survive, they say, it will only be as a post-religious, but compassionate community. More subtle is Claude Geffré’s approach, in With Or Without God?, where he dialogues with the philosopher Régis Debray. He strongly argues that you cannot have meaningful compassion without first worshiping God. You need a higher framework. The theologian Marcel Gauchet agrees, as he reflects on strategy, predicting that the older default parish model will fade away, but a newer “religion of identity” will come to replace it.

     Is this not a great opportunity for spreading the message the Seminary at Aix has believed since its inception? The heart of the gospel is that we can have a new identity in Jesus Christ through the cross. No geographical or ethnic qualifications are needed. Simply, lifting up the empty hands of faith. Our primary communion with God will of course lead to outreach. People who know the forgiveness and love of Calvary will turn to their neighbors and minister forgiveness and love to the surrounding community.

     At the beginning of 2006, we want to concentrate on preparing heralds of this gospel for modern Europe, and for the French-speaking world. Only an educated clergy will be able to bring the good news in a credible way to the over-developed West. So the need for Seminary training is greater than ever. The European intellectuals are telling us what we’ve known all along. To be effective, the church must preach the new birth in Christ. But “how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14)

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President

P.S.     We are over the $200,000 mark for the Boice Chair. 550,000 to go!

P.P.S.   Let us know if you no longer wish to be on this mailing list.

P.P.P.S. We’re giving out signed copies of Paul Wells’ Cross Words, to donors who contribute $300 or more! It’s a masterpiece on the atonement.