Since its creation, Faculté Jean Calvin has maintained close relations with seminaries, institutions, churches and support partners in Europe and throughout the world. Exchanges of professors and students, and joint conferences are examples of how these relations operate. In addition, they help to energize and enhance the teaching given by the Faculté. (See a detailed list by clicking below on "Read More".)
After many years pastoring Churches in France as an ordained Assemblies of God pastor, I had the desire to pursue theological studies and especially Reformed theology. The Faculté Jean Calvin became the logical choice, because no other faculty had a similar master’s program for pastors in service, and the possibility to study via Internet.
February 2017
Dear Friends,
“God is back on French political map,” Sylvie Kauffmann, former editor in chief of the influential Le Monde, writes in a recent issue of the International New York Times. Her reference is to François Fillon, the former prime minister who is now running for president. He recently told the press, “I am a Gaullist, and furthermore I am a Christian.” His claim met with all kinds of opposition from various politicians, including some who are believers, since he appeared to transgress the ideal of laïcité, which prohibits any mixing of politics and religion.
Michel Onfray, a leading philosopher and public intellectual, has just published an explosive book titled Décadence which claims that Judeo-Christianity is a thing of the past. Usually, Onfray tells us, theories of decline belong to the right. He cites the famous account by Oswald Spengler of the Decline of the West. As for himself, though left-leaning, he does not share the liberal optimism of leftists. He thinks our civilization is about to fall under its own weight. When asked about Francois Fillon he says he represents merely the last gasp of Christian hope. It’s all over. What’s left? He is not sure. For the moment, the only honest answer is nihilism.
So, which is it? Fillon or Onfray? Well, it’s both! Certainly the Judeo- Christian worldview is losing its grip in France and elsewhere in Europe. At the same time, God has not yet successfully been dispatched. There is quite a remnant of Christian believers, and even significant resurgence. We are in a time of remarkable opportunity for the Gospel. Our Faculté Jean Calvin has a small but significant role in spreading the Word of God. It is training its men and women to be like the children of Issachar, to understand the times and tell the church what is the best course to take (1 Chronicles 12:32).
We are so grateful for your prayers and support of this remarkable effort. If you have not yet signed-up to receive electronic updates from our web site, please feel free to do so (note: these occasional bulletins do not replace the quarterly newsletters, which will continue to be sent to you via the post). May we truly see God not only on the political map, but in the hearts of the French people!
Very Truly Yours
William Edgar, President
Dear Friends,
As the end of my first term of service with the FJC coincided with Christmas celebrations, I have not been able to give you this update earlier in December, as planned. But it is not too late to wish you a very happy and blessed New Year 2017!
My first impressions were very positive in every respect: my relations with the administrative team, my integration into the board of Professors, my contacts with students, were most satisfying, far beyond what I anticipated.
Dear friends and partners in the ministry,
We hope, and pray, that this first newsletter of the, still new year, 2017, finds you well!
The past month has been relatively quiet here in France. With the Christmas break, Yannick's teaching has been minimal. Moreover, the students are on their one-month internship. This allows for more writing and reasearch time. It also gives us a more flexible schedule. In the meantime, Erin is busy working on her French with a tutor and helping the church with their "Explorer" Bible school for kids 8-12 yo. It's a lot of work, and a lot of French!
I would like to offer a report of some of my experiences and my academic activities since my arrival at the Faculté Jean Calvin. The report comes in two parts. In the first part, I make some observations about how my family and I are adapting to this new context. In the second, I give a general outline of my first teaching responsibilities and experiences at the school.
