| Abstract
|
:
|
Contrary to the ongoing trend of secularisation in the Netherlands, some religious congregations have instead experienced exceptional growth, and are currently reaching megachurch proportions. This paper focuses on one such thriving Dutch congregation, called Doorbrekers (‘those who break through’), and sets out to account for its appeal and attractiveness by analysing sermons delivered by the pastors of Doorbrekers; with the help of a topic list based on cultural-market and church-sect theory explanations for the emergence of megachurches. The intention is to answer the question of whether elements of both lines of explanation are present in the sermons delivered in this Dutch megachurch. Findings show that this is indeed partly the case. As it turns out, the sermons delivered in Doorbrekers offer a unique blend of theological conservatism and a more modern emphasis on the individual. Thus, the conclusion is drawn that Doorbrekers represents a new form of privatised and strict Protestantism, which seems to go rather well with certain developments in the Dutch religious landscape. Contrary to the ongoing trend of secularisation in the Netherlands, some religious congregations have instead experienced exceptional growth, and are currently reaching megachurch proportions. This paper focuses on one such thriving Dutch congregation, called Doorbrekers (‘those who break through’), and sets out to account for its appeal and attractiveness by analysing sermons delivered by the pastors of Doorbrekers; with the help of a topic list based on cultural-market and church-sect theory explanations for the emergence of megachurches. The intention is to answer the question of whether elements of both lines of explanation are present in the sermons delivered in this Dutch megachurch. Findings show that this is indeed partly the case. As it turns out, the sermons delivered in Doorbrekers offer a unique blend of theological conservatism and a more modern emphasis on the individual. Thus, the conclusion is drawn that Doorbrekers represents a new form of privatised and strict Protestantism, which seems to go rather well with certain developments in the Dutch religious landscape.
|