Authenticity...

Recently I have been bombarded by thoughts and others thoughts about being of an authentic faith. Some of the comments have been of a harsh nature, some more of a lamenting tone, while others I could not figure out their point. So, my quest begins as I attempt to place my thoughts on this page to add to the discussion.

The dictionary is the best place to start processing this. Defining has always been key to my ability to understand things. A quick little trip revealed the following:

Authentic

1.) Worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact,

2.) Conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features,

3.) Made or done the same way as an original,

4.) Not false or imitation.

Most of the definitions seem relevant to the topic of authenticity and authentic faith. Yes, my faith and beliefs are based on facts that are easily found in the Bible. Yes, my faith is founded on the original teachings of Christ and on His birth, death of substitutionary atonement, and resurrection. And although a couple of thousand years have gone by, the core beliefs of the post resurrection church are still living and active.

The explanations above clear things up for me a bit. However, a few of the phrases punch holes along the waterline. Those phrases for me are to “reproduce essential features” and “not false or imitation.” The fly just landed in the soup. Up to this point, I think that we can agree that the basic tenants of the faith are solid. It’s just where our “human-ness” kicks in that ruins things for those on the outside looking in.

How would believers be viewed if we really embraced, practiced, and shared with our neighbors and friends as the early church did in Acts 2? Giving to everyone as they had need (vs 45), eating together and sharing with glad and sincere hearts (vs. 46), and devoting themselves to prayer (vs. 42). What interests me the most is at the end of vs. 47… “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” A true issue of cause and effect?

Now living like that is certainly “counter cultural” in today’s times. Many of us long to be counter cultural, to not merely fit in or go with the flow, but to actually effect change. If we reproduced these essential features, along with the others mentioned in the book, what would that counter culture look like? Would there be those questions of authenticity? Or would people not yet reached want to see what we as believers are up to because it all seems to good to be true?

The second piece of the definition, the not false or imitation part, to me really comes down to another word… transparency.

Transparency

1.) Having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly.

2.) Allowing the passage of a specified form or radiation

3.) Fine or sheer enough to be seen through,

4.) Free from pretense or deceit,

5.) Characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices.

In this instance the definition, free from deceit or pretense seems to fit best. How many times have we postured ourselves when it is appropriate? Pumped ourselves up as a “super Christian” who has no problems and is whistling and skipping our way through life while ignoring the actions that made the early church add numbers daily.

However, when reviewing the possible definitions of the word this one slammed me in the face.

Fine or sheer enough to be seen through…

There is absolutely no doubt that we are fallen people living in a fallen world. That’s why we need the Savior that we were given. That fallen condition is what we walk around with every day no matter how hard we try to avoid it. But seriously, when our day to day stretches us to where we are “fine or sheer enough to be seen through” what do those sitting in the court of our peers see? Do they see a reflection of something based on fact, conforming to the original, and reproducing the essential features of the faith?

Do they see authenticity?

The other part of the transparency definition that just instantly created a vivid mental picture for me was…

Having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly.

My mind’s eye envisions a person who is “transmitting” these authentic features and truths of their faith in a manner to others that does not scatter the message and that the others who look upon them clearly see the Savior that stands behing them.