Lack of authenticity is one of our biggest problems. As Christians, it can make the difference between being an effective witness and being “another one of THOSE Christians.” In his book, “Authentic Christianity: why it matters for followers of Jesus,” Peter E. Watts explores the subject.
We learn early in life, Watts writes, to put up a front for others. We learn it on the playground as children. It begins with the rules of behavior and extends to us learning in many other ways how to behave and then how to act – how to put up our “best side” so that we will be accepted by our peers and authority figures. Habits learned this early, of course, follow us into our work life (being “professional”), and then into our personal lives, including our lives in church.
The problem with this learned behavior, though, is that it is inherently self-centered. We show our best side to gain acceptance, even when that “best side” does not truly exist as we portray it.
Watts describes the problem, especially as it exists in North America, as the “self-made project,” held up especially in the United States as an ideal. This ideal, rooted in the American bootstrap mentality, is challenged by the way of life exemplified by Jesus: the “servant project.” In other words, life is not about me (the self-made project), but about others (the servant project). This results from a shift in our inner focus, from self to others, resulting in a change in how we view what the Christian life is about.
Watts calls out the mistaken belief that Jesus’ mission and message has to do solely about the hereafter and asserts that the way of life offered by Jesus invites us also to think about and be transformed in how we relate to others here and now.
The book is set up with discussion questions following each chapter, so it is ideal for a small group setting. My only problem how the book is set up is the lack of scriptural references, so a small group leader would need to take some time to integrate this into a Bible Study.
I recommend this book. Its subject is pertinent for all Christians, especially today in our divisive, politically-charged society (this is addressed in the book as well).
To close, one last quote which, in my opinion, sums up why authenticity in our Christian life is important:
“[T]he things we say and the way we say them to people who are not Christians matter.” (p. 136)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Road Less Traveled 