Hendrikse grew up in a
non-religious family in the
Alblasserwaard; his father was a veterinary surgeon. He went to school in
Gorinchem and studied at
Nyenrode Business University (1968–1971) and
Michigan State University (1971–1972). Between 1972 and 1983, he worked for
Xerox. After becoming interested in religion, he studied
theology at the
Utrecht University between 1977 and 1983, before becoming a preacher. He gained national attention as "the atheist pastor" after he stated in a number of newspapers, including
Trouw and
Volkskrant, that he did not believe in God's literal existence but as something that "happens". Hendrikse described God as "a word for experience, or human experience" and said that
Jesus may have never existed. Hendrikse later said that he did not consider himself to be an atheist, but tried to stay close to atheism in his choice of words and away from the "jargon of the church". The PKN considered taking disciplinary action against Hendrikse, but dropped the case in 2009. PKN authorities stated that such a case would result in "a protracted discussion about the meanings of words that in the end will produce little clarity." Hendrikse said that he would "rather remain as a louse in the fur of the PKN" than leave and form his own religious community. Hendrikse died in 2018. == Books ==