by Greg Mundis

France Is Burning

Dear Friends:

I am sure many of you have been following with interest the news coming out of France. Over the course of the last several weeks, much unrest has engulfed the different immigrant ghettos of Paris, Tulles, and literally hundreds of cities across the French landscape.

Many question why this is happening. Of course, the news media––whether conservative or liberal––have their own spin, and I am sure that in a complicated matrix of issues, there are many answers to what seems a common crisis.

I would like to offer two perspectives from a spiritual point of view:

1.  It is said that more witches and warlocks are in France than priests and pastors. We see a dearth of biblical, Christian values in French society. It is commonly acknowledged that France is one of the most secular countries in Europe. In his book, The Cube and the Cathedral, George Weigel notes that France stands as a paradox. On one hand is the great Cathedral of Notre Dame testifying to Christianity and Christian values, and on the other hand is the great edifice of the Cube which stands for secularism.

Immigrants from countries where God is a part of their culture and life are put into an environment where God is hardly acknowledged or is kept for purely private consumption. They do not have the opportunity to express one of the deepest concerns of mankind––their religiosity is their spiritual validity. I believe part of the frustration being evidenced in French society is a lack of cultural understanding of the necessity of God in the marketplace.

2.  In the complex matrix of reasons why the fire is burning in France, I suggest that young immigrants are isolated from mainstream French society. This isolation comes in the form of laws enacted by the French government and by prejudice of a significant portion of the French populous. Of course, this isolation leads to frustration, frustration to anger, anger to hate, and then the hate manifests itself in acts of violence.

I believe the small Evangelical community has an important part to play in the lives of young immigrants living in France. I believe the Evangelical church can be a means of providing a bridge for their frustration, anger, and hate. In dialogue and prayer, solutions can be found to make positive contributions for the future.

I offer these two opinions from a purely non-political, spiritual perspective. I know the power in prayer is great, and I encourage everyone reading to pray for this situation. Pray for the churches in France and for these immigrants that bridges of understanding can be found and that God can be brought back to the marketplace. Pray that discussion will occur regarding their deepest need—the deepest need of mankind––spirituality.

Thanks for praying for the immigrants and the Evangelical churches in France.

God bless,

Greg Mundis
AGWM Europe Regional Director

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