Authentic Christianity: Why it Matters for Followers of Jesus

by Peter E. Watts

As a follower of Jesus, you value honest and transparent relationships with others. Yet you continue to discover that these characteristics seem to be rare within Christian churches. It doesn’t help the matter that a culture of detached professionalism pervades, not only in the contemporary workforce, but within these same Christian communities.

Because of this, Christians are not widely known for authenticity. You may even feel stifled in the congregation you’ve been part of for years—and you wouldn’t be the only one. When silence permeates a church, the domino effect can topple the members’ ability to truly relate to and understand one another.

Yet the path of Jesus offers lessons in authenticity that are still relevant to his followers today. Authentic Christianity examines what Christ’s life tells us about living authentically and explores cultural reasons for our inability to flourish in this area. This book demonstrates that you don’t have to choose between being a Christian and being an authentic human being. Following Jesus will lead you on a risky but meaningful (even necessary) path that faces and engages with our common need for authenticity and authentic relationships with others.

Genres: Christian Living

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2018

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful, readable and thoughtful book about what it means to be a Christian. Of course, everyone has some impression of what it means to be a Christian. There are multitudes of books, podcasts, articles and such out there on this. Everyone has an opinion, and you can probably find a church or denomination to support your opinion.

So what makes Watts’ book special?

I read this while I was working on a newsletter update for my partners in ministry. I work with college students and hear story after story from students who are turned off to Christianity due to perceived hypocrisy, irrelevance and more. I hear the same stories from alumni, whether they continue to stay in church or not, who struggle to find churches. Through talking to current and former students, and thinking of how I do ministry, I believe the best thing young adults desire is honesty. When they have questions or objections they do not want to be sold some weak, textbook answer. They want honesty.

Or, as Watts puts it, authentic Christianity.

Authentic Christianity does not pretend all is right in our lives or the world. It does not seek to smooth the rough edges off. Instead, it lives in the real world of doubt and struggle and darkness and brokenness.

Reading this book while writing that newsletter was like reading my own thoughts being told back to me. I think Watts is 100% moving in the right direction. Well, when he gets into God “risking” things in the second to last chapter, I rolled my eyes. He cites Greg Boyd, who I generally appreciate, but I find the whole Open Theism, “God who risks” to be much less satisfying than more Classical Views of God. So I’ll say Watts is like 95% moving in the right direction.

But that’s the thing, isn’t it? Authentic Christianity leaves space for us to disagree on such things. This leads to perhaps the best thing I can say about this book: Watts comes across like a great, wise, humble, kind disciple of Jesus. He’s someone I’d want to be friends with, argue with, debate and discuss with. Along those lines, this is the sort of book I could recommend to a skeptical college student or a friend who is not a Christian. There are few books out there about things of faith and God that I can imagine non-Christians reading. This is one, which itself is an accomplishment.

Overall, this is a good book to read for Christians or non-Christians, as individuals or in groups.

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.

[Robin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book via an Amazon KINDLE Unlimited download.

In regards to authenticity I’m not one who goes to services on an on-going regular basis. I believe in having one God and try to the best of my ability to live a proper and authentic lifestyle.

When one goes to services, one expects everyone there would be on the same pages in regards to each other, yet the atmosphere I feel that is being created there is one of DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO. Too many individuals might speak the word of the Lord, however their actions are too often in my opinion contrary to what they’re saying.

In other words, ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. Someone might tell someone else they love them continuously, but until such time this love manifests itself in some concrete form [action] it is meaningless. The best example of the God’s love for those who believe in Him, is not in His words, but what is found in John 3:16 [ESV]

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,…

The author in his description for this book, writes that as a follower of Jesus, you value honest and transparent relationships with others. Yet you continue to discover that these characteristics seem to be rare within Christian churches. It doesn’t help the matter that a culture of detached professionalism pervades, not only in the contemporary; workforce, but within these same Christian communities.

I believe this entire concept of being honest/truthful can be found if one reads Proverbs 12 [version is unimportant].
How often have you heard the phrase “be true to yourself?” The reason I’m mentioning this is the author’s apparent mantra as he continuously uses it as an example of his own authenticity. Well, first, the actual phrase is “to thine own self be true?” and it’s NOT biblical. The phrase is what Polonius tells his son Laertes in Hamlet, Act I, Scene 3, in Lines 78-82.

For giving his readers, an eye-opening perspective reading experience regarding what authentic Christianity is and what it takes to become an authentic Christian, which is enhanced by the reading and discussion guide that is included at the end of each chapter; this reviewer of Christian book is delighted to give the author, Peter Watts, 5 STARS for his endeavor here.

[Donna Rutledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts out giving us the rules we learn as children then goes on to show how we develop with rules as we grow into adults. This is an entirely different way to look at the way we grow and the way we act as Christians. It gives a whole new look at the way we act at church and as the way others act at church.

This book should be a reading requirement for all clergymen. It shows how people become after being in a church for any length of time. It shows how you can choose to change yourself and hopefully others in your church.

I LOVED this book. It opened my eyes to modern Christianity. It has given me a mission to hopefully show to my minister how our church members "act" and hope that he can change our congregation into an Authentic Christian Church.

This book has given me a new hope in my own journey into Christianity. It has given me ideas that I have needed for a long time. Too many of my congregation has become the "I'm fine" type of congregation and I would really love to hear whats really going on.

This book goes on to give you ideas on how to change yourself into the type of Christian, Christ would be proud of and it gives you the guidance everyone needs.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I am the brother of the author. :)

Knowing the author and having read the book I can confirm that the message comes from a true practitioner of the message. He has been a great example for me in his vulnerability and honest transparency. Because of that, I am interested in what he has to say.

In this book he warns us against the tendency of mirroring the common patterns of our surrounding culture with it's play-acting and self-made man ideologies and behaviors. All the while, he encouraging us to pursue a life of authenticity and honesty during the journey of following Jesus.

I was compelled by his message about 'Becoming More Human, Not less'. That emphasis resonates with me. He rightly brings attention to the misguidedness of an escapist other worldly based soteriology that devalues the goodness of the created order. He tries to redirect our affection toward participating in God's intentions for renewing our individual and collective lives and the world we inhabit.

The author does a great job of delivering his message in a way which discourages your reading to result in the mere consumption of knowledge. His mix of personal anecdotes and thoughtful group discussion sections challenge the reader to internalize what has been said, working its way out into fruitful and abundant living. Good on yah.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Christianity ideas, but some new perspectives. The idea of 'mere words without action' are often meaningless. Getting Christians to actually be Christians 24-7 is one theme in this book.

[Jonathan A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Say more.” You have opened a box, you have hinted towards something that could be meaningful. Say more.
If you are in a therapy or counseling situation and you hear this request, it may mean that you are onto something that could be good, but you are just scratching the surface. Say more. Go deeper. Get more personal.
In his book, Authentic Christianity: Why It Matters for Followers of Jesus, Peter Watts seems to be saying the same thing. He implores the reader to be more honest in their relationship with God and their relationships with others. Watts offers the observation that our self-made, individualistic culture pushed against such authenticity because authenticity leads to a reliance upon each other and upon God. This goes in the face of the self-made ideals. In our society of facades and fronts, of fakery and lies, it is indeed a worthy ideal to push and desire an honest approach to faith and relationships. Let it be said that Watts’ ideas are not new or original. Many have pushed for an honest and authentic way of living (secular and sacred) and have extolled the values of such honesty (see Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Merton, Socrates, Tillich, and many others). Watts joins the throng of mystics, philosophers, and theologians speaking out into a sea stubborn individuality for courageous stance that requires an honesty in their own faith.
Yet I want more. While there are some instances of Watts sharing his own personal story, there is a lacking of intimacy and risk with Watts’ illustration and overall sharing. I want more risk in his illustrations, in his sharing, and more overall authenticity. Watts speaks about the importance of taking risk, but does not bring in the practice of questioning and pushing one’s own faith. Where are the questions that deepens one’s relationship and one’s faith? As Watts says, an authentic faith that looks to take risk is important, but there must be space for the questions, for the uncertainty, and the doubt. There must be space to be able to say, “I believe, help my unbelief.” In our relationships there must be space to say that I am not sure about where we are going, and then to fall into the unknowing that such a question offers. To say to God that I do not know if I believe and to be honest in such a real way. In the questions, in the uncertainty, in the unknowing is where I find a deep and real authenticity, and is where I want more.
Authentic Christianity is a fine book, a good introduction into a way of being Christian that offers depth and hope beyond the façade of Sunday morning performances. But it is not the end. It is not the final place to rest. It is my hope that after reading it you will be asking the author, yourself, and the Divine to “say more.”

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.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Authentic Christianity, the author argues for a Christianity that moves beyond a fake, superficial life to one that models the servant heart of Jesus Christ. Through sharing his personal experiences as well as reflections on certain trends he sees in the culture, the author urges readers to forgo the societal pressure to invest in the “self-made” project of human fulfillment and instead embrace a life of humility and service to others as modeled by Christ.

I appreciated the author’s vulnerability in sharing the successes and shortcomings in his own life. I also think the study questions and practical action items could help some readers do some deeper self-reflection and make positive changes in their lives. I think some, particularly among millennials and the Gen-Z generation, will appreciate this aspect of the book. I admit that I found the formatting of the book annoying. It reminded me of a Rob Bell blog post-style writing from ten years ago. This writing style seeks to be authentic and conversational, while ironically seeming fake and “put on” to me. Also, while I appreciate what the author was trying to do with the book, overall it fell flat for me. I felt like it was trying too hard. While I think this book may resonate with some, it didn’t for me.

#AuthenticChristianity

Disclosure: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. My review is an honest, unbiased review reflecting my own opinion of the work. I was not required to write a positive review of this work.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You, Goodreads for allowing me to read this book!

Authentic Christianity was a read that enabled one to reflect upon their Christian journey. One may ask themselves: Are my intentions to make sure that I am liked by my peers? Is my walk with faith organic?

The book, in a comprehensive manner, explores how the playground and our coping mechanisms for getting along in school carry over to both our business and Christina lives.

There is definitely a discussion to be had regarding how we act business like, distant, and removed from the people we see in church.

There is also a conversation about the fear people have of breaking social conventions.

I appreciate the time the author took to clarify and break down the points that were made. This made the conclusions more valid and showed that the opinions made came from reflection and not judgement.

I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book

[Kirk Weikart · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prose was a little too wandering for my taste; the author's current vocation as a teacher leads him to overexplaining things, even the most basic concepts. In my opinion, the book already suffers from some superficiality, so using too many words accents the problem.

The author makes the point that God is a risk taker, an idea that is troubling to a Christian who believes that God is very much in control.

I was also disappointed that all of the biblical references were footnoted at the end of the book.; not very evangelistic.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read,liked it