In Depth:  Paul Wells

Pastor of the Reformed Church of France, founder and honorary dean of the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence, Pierre Courthial passed into the presence of the Lord in Paris in April.

A memorial service was held in the Eglise de l’Annonciation, Passy, Paris, where Courthial was pastor for many years, on May 2. A disciple of Auguste Lecerf, known for his confessional Calvinism, Courthial was a remarkable preacher and teacher, the author of many articles and several books, two of which are presently being translated into English.

All summer long the terrace of my favourite cafe in Aix-en-Provence has been packed out with tourists.

Les Deux Garcons was also frequented by the painter whose work they came to Aix to see. An exhibition assembling about 120 paintings from all over the world has been running all summer, after having been on in Washington last spring.

Islam in France is on the move. It is estimated that there are now about five million Muslims in France (against fewer than one million Protestants or Jews), and one million or so have full voting rights.

Such a substantial minority can only be expected to make its voice heard and to retain the electoral attentions of politicians.

Modern humanism has taught us to think that the 'real is the rational and the rational is the real'. What is real is what you see. What you can't see, either with the naked eye, microscope or telescope, does not exist.

The early Church Fathers and the Reformers had another way of seeing reality, which cannot simply be dismissed as primitive. The universe has two aspects, visible and invisible. The creative decree and acts of God hold together in unity visible and invisible reality. By his mighty power everything exists purposefully every second of every day.

The American poet/songwriter Paul Simon wrote about the way human life goes. He described it like this:

Slip sliding away...

The service began to a low-key roll of drums. It was a song of praise led by a well-rehearsed musical group.

It was an amazing service. I looked around and the age bracket was 20-35 on average. These people were obviously 'high-fliers'. My father, who is 86, and I, were two of the oldest people in the congregation.

For 50 years now, a remarkable work of the gospel has been going on in France among the travellers, called 'gypsies' or 'Romany people'.

These were the folk who live mainly in Eastern Europe (and also Spain). Hitler tried to eliminate them along with the Jews and other minorities. They have also been subject to attacks in recent years from extreme right wing groups in Europe.

France is traditionally a Roman Catholic country. At the end of the 20th century, religion has been marginalised. People are turning away from Catholicism by the score, but what are they looking for?

In today's France, materialism is much in evidence. At all levels of society, people want to move up and have more. However, it has fostered frustration and emptiness and also guilt. The poor are left on the outside. So on the French TV news, the plight of the homeless always figures during the winter months. But apart from that, compassion is by proxy.