Transformational Architecture: Reshaping Our Lives as Narrative (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Author Ron Martoia is one of today’s keenest Christian observers and thinkers. And in his latest book he explains why evangelism is more difficult now than ever before: postmodern society has lost its overarching stories. People today are disillusioned, disenfranchised, and less open to the biggest “story” of all: the message of God’s redeeming grace.

From the Back Cover

“How Can I More Effectively Reach People of My Generation with the Message of the Gospel?”

Start the story where God starts the story.

In other words, it’s not about “lifestyle evangelism.” Or being cleverer than the person with whom you’re talking. Or knowing everything there is to know about the Bible.

It’s about knowing what’s most important to your friends, family, coworkers, and others you meet along life’s journey. It’s about, to use author Ron Martoia’s words, discovering the “story” each of us lives every waking day of our lives. Once you know that, you’ll know how God’s story fits into our human stories.

Jesus spread the Good News this way. He talked to people, asked them questions about who they were, what they were doing–in short, he found out what made each person get out of bed every morning. And then he shared with them a bigger story–and how they fit into it. Jesus knew that when people grasped God’s big picture, they felt compelled–even overjoyed–to be a part of it.

In today’s increasingly individualistic, disenfranchised world, it’s never been more important to know God’s story and how one fits into it. Let Transformational Architecture be your guide to reaching those around you with God’s life-changing message of hope.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310287693
• ISBN-13: 978-0310287698
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #618,561 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transformational Architecture, November 19, 2008

By	P. Baird "P. Baird" (OK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read through TA last week on my own. There will undoubtedly be a time in the near future where I journey through the book again with a small group. This is a message that desperately needs to be heard and Ron has done an incredible job of making a topic full of rich theology accessible to those of us that aren't reading PHD level theology.

In Part 1, Ron talks about three different texts that must be considered: the context, the Biblical text and the Human text. It is only when we consider these three texts that we will be able to navigate our way through our own journey and to lead others in doing the same.

In Part 2, Ron describes The Transformation. It is difficult to understand our purpose in life until we begin to understand why we were created. Ron does an incredible job of showing us from scripture a more complete story of life with God and that begins with being made in His image. Once we understand what we were created for, it gives us a new perspective on our future. Starting with an incomplete worldview has crippled evangelical Christianity in its efforts to "win the lost". When we begin to see why and how we were created it gives us a much healthier place to begin conversations with those around us. Realizing that we were all created with yearnings to connect - to our creator and to those around us helps us begin conversations with some direction for those we are talking to. We, as Christ followers, do have a story that is worthy of being heard but where we begin and end the conversation will depend on whether or not anyone will be listening.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must read for people that want to share Jesus, November 18, 2008

By	Bryon Harvey (Northville, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Transformational Architecture by Ron Martoia is a must read for anyone serious about trying to help people connect with God. Ron takes a serious look at the way most people today communicate the to others about Jesus and offers a counter-point to the way most people that follow Jesus have been taught to share what that means. The major thesis of the book is that we've been taught to start too late in the story. Rather than starting with the fact that we're all dealing with sin, Transformational Architecture argues that we should start with the fact that we're all created in the image of God.

For more go to my blog [...]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Trying to hard?, August 12, 2009

By	Harrison, Wallace "pittswork.blogspot.com" (Grand Haven, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I tried really hard to like this book, but I couldn't quite come full circle on it. I absolutely agree with Ron in needing to start in the beginning, and that has been screaming to come out in our day and age. By the beginning that means Genesis 1 & 2, not Genesis 3. It has been pointed out that we need to stop starting in Genesis 3, with sin or how terrible we all are, and start in Genesis 1 & 2, that we are created in the image of God and that God's original creation He called good (we of course then need to repent, admit that we slid off course). But we are God's beautiful creation first and to start with what we are, which is far more approachable than telling people how much they suck. Fair or not, I feel like others have said it more clearly and just better than Ron does here. I just got the nagging feeling that Ron was trying too hard for a good metaphor and then drowned in too much detail and not enough punch. There were times when I thought he was flipping through the "emerging dictionary," and pulling out the cool and hip language, but it just didn't work for me. I need a little more clarity than the gray or fog that is found far too often in the "emerging conversation." There is some good thoughts and encouraging steps in the book, but I found it sadly muddled in trying hard for a crafty metaphor. I highly recommend Rob Bell and Don Golden's "Jesus Wants To Save Christians" for clarity.