The Church and Multiculturalism: the Role of Immigrant Churches in Amsterdam

Abstract

This paper explores the relationships between immigrant and native Dutch churches in Amsterdam, making use of Putnam’s theories about how ethnic diversity affects the two kinds of relationships that make up social capital: ‘bonding’ and ‘bridging’ relationships. The paper concludes with some observations from the Christian Scriptures. Are there biblical resources on which all Christians can draw concerning ethnic diversity in urban societies like Amsterdam, and which interact in a useful way with Putnam’s ideas about bonding and bridging relationships that contribute to social capital?