No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

-- Luke 6:43-45 (NIV)

Authenticity

(Part Two)

Reality of Two Kinds

One way to talk about this being real thing (you can review Part One by clicking on "Back to Main Page" at the top of the right column and then selecting the posted article) is to observe that there are two features of it that bear on the matter of authenticity.  The first is that there is an actual world, both seen and unseen.  The second is that there is a virtual world, which is simultaneously in operation with the actual. 

In the actual world there exist all of those things that are perceived by the mind and spirit, experienced by the senses, and expressed by the emotions.  Real joy and real pain.  In the virtual world, we see two-dimensional shadows and reflections of the real.  Computers have brought this word into vogue to convey the idea that there is a virtual reality where data exist only as a reflection or graphical representation of something that is real.  To be virtual is to be a real copy of another thing; whether fact or fiction.

We entertain ourselves in a virtual world at the movies, for example, but we live in an actual world.  The actual and the virtual are not necessarily false to each other, depending upon the extent or degree to which one is a truthful representation of the other.  When I look at my face in a mirror I see a reverse image of me, but the face looking back at me is not a reflection of anyone but me.  If I cut myself shaving, the blood on my cheek is real but so is the blood in the mirror as a virtual representation of my own reality. 

One of our modern problems in the socialization of our children, especially young boys, is to find a way to teach them how to discern between what is virtual and what is actual, when they can just power up the GameBoy, PlayStation, or XBox, and slaughter legions of virtual enemies – blood and all.  In that virtual world no one really dies.  In the actual world, they do.

To illustrate further this relationship between that actual and the virtual, let’s come at it from another direction.  When you purchase certain kinds of goods, a certificate often comes along with it to vouch for the origin of the item.  It is called a certificate of origin, or a certificate of authenticity.  In the United States, such a certificate is required of certain foreign imports.  The purpose is to assure or authenticate that the import is actually what it claims to be. 

This idea of value based upon the truth of material representations is crucial to collectors who spend millions of dollars for original antiques of all kinds.  This is also true of investors who buy items in the hopes of appreciation in value over time.  Knowledge of authenticity is an important adjunct to any decision-making that is dependent upon the genuineness of the representations of another – an assessment of the real, actual article that is based upon evidence.

There is another kind of authenticity that is based upon duplication.  Something that conforms to the image or the mold of the original is authentic in its primary features, and is verifiable.  One might show objective evidence to say that something is a genuine representation of another thing, as in an authentic copy – true to the original.

In such a manner, a person can be said to be authentic, either by way of actual originality, or by way of virtual likeness to another person, or to a standard.  For example, one might say that he or she is a member of either the Democratic or Republican Party in the United States, and reveal authenticity by a display of behaviors that reflect the central beliefs and core values which are honored by those organizations.  Behavior is the evidence.

In matters of Christian faith, Dr. Gregory Bourgond says, “An authentic Christian is one who conforms to the original, Jesus Christ, and reproduces those features which reflect His character.”[1]  From this assertion it would follow that one who says that he is a Christian, but whose behavior does not reflect the character of Christ, is not authentic.  This view of authenticity brings to mind the old Gospel preacher’s challenge, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”[2]  Both the actual and the virtual are real, connected, and attest to the harmony between belief and behavior.  Again, to live in permanent dissonance is impossible.

Bringing who you are into harmony with who you say you are, getting real, is the first pillar that stands as a monument to your decision to follow The Way of the King.  The next pillar: Followship and the Kingdom Road.