Out of 68.4 million, 745,000 people in France claim to be evangelical Christians. As we consider the church today, we can gain insight by looking back in history to see how and when the gospel was first brought to the French. So, how did France get to this point?
How Was the Gospel Brought to France?
There are two well-known stories that tell the story of how the gospel was introduced to France. First, it is believed that Romans brought Christianity to France during the first century. Second, others believe that Mary Magdalene, Martha, Lazarus, and others brought Christianity to France as they fled persecution and landed in a fishing village in Provence, a region in southern France.
Some believe that Mary Magdalene, Martha, Lazarus, and others brought Christianity to France.
Regardless of which story is historically accurate, there has been a record of Christian missionaries in France since the second century. During this time, Christianity spread rapidly among French communities. Then, around the fourth century, monasteries were established in France, particularly in the countryside, which brought over Roman Catholicism.
Centuries later, the Protestant Reformation brought change to Europe, including France. From 1562-1598, France had what was known as the Wars of Religion—a conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism. The war resulted in the Edict of Nantes, which granted religious freedom and rights to French Protestants, known as the Huguenots. Yet, in 1685, this edict was revoked, causing many Protestants to flee from France due to persecution. Those who stayed were forced to convert to Catholicism or to meet in secret.
At the end of the 18th century, during the French Revolution, religion in France took a turn as secularism began to take root. For example, the Cathedral of Notre Dame was converted into a temple of reason, rejecting Christianity and turning to human wisdom. While a few years later the Cathedral of Notre Dame was deemed Catholic yet again, secularism was already becoming a foundation of France. In 1905, France established the right to freedom of religion as long as it does not interfere with public affairs.
What Does the Church Look Like Today?
Despite a rich history of Christianity, secularism is now widespread in France. The current French government practices the idea of laïcité, which is the separation of church and state. It’s not a form of state atheism nor outlawing religion, but, instead, aims to keep religion out of public affairs, including government events like the Paris Olympics, and schools.
France has the fastest church growth rate among European nations.
With the rise of secularism and other religions, particularly Islam due to a large Muslim immigrant population, there is only a 1% evangelical Christian population today in France. However, there is good news for the Church. In France, it is estimated that an evangelical church is planted about every ten days. France has the fastest church growth rate among European nations.
How Can You Pray for the Church in France?
In a country filled with various religions and worldly influences and reasoning, pray that the light and truth of the gospel would become evident, known, and accepted (2 Corinthians 4:6). Pray for disciples to be made and that they would build their foundation on Christ, not on human wisdom (Matthew 7:24–27).
As we see God move powerfully, pray for more leaders to be equipped, for resources to be provided, and more churches to be planted. Lastly, just because the gospel is not widely believed does not mean that many among the French are not willing to learn about the gospel. Pray for gospel conversation opportunities to occur and for willing and open minds and spirits.
Selah Lipsey is a Content Writer at Radical. She is a graduate of Samford University where she studied Journalism and Spanish. She is a member of Redeemer Community Church. She is married to Jeremy.
