Customer Reviews

Transformational Architecture: Reshaping Our Lives as Narrative

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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 [...]

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.

I have been thinking about the ramifications of this in a similar way for years. That we are humans first, spiritual decision makers second. Ron not only lets the cat out of the bag without getting himself scratched, he also takes it a step further by showing us how to draw people into this exotic universal conversation with each other. I listened to this book eagerly and it struck me as profound and far reaching. Its not evangelism 2.0, we have already had that and it left us appreciating how others are better it than us. This is Good news 7.0 Pro.

Where has this message been all my life!! It seems a little late in coming. The story most of my life has been about as exciting as windows 95, -- not quite all there but still a good invention. Ron brings it up to a G3 iPhone or perhaps OS X. imaging talking with others about the good news as not just tolerable, but as actually desirable. Not the chit chat before it, but the actually nitty gritty of it.

I think the guy with the belly ache is confusing "trying to hard" with a passionate understanding of the ramifications of getting the story right. Ron is plenty accurate and clear here, I was glad he broke it up with context, wit and plain ole everyday interruptions. This part of the book was actually a perfect appendage that is the most responsible for giving me the genuine confidence I honestly have now. A confidence that has only grown since I read the book a month or so ago. People often confuse passion when they don't get it, but I also get the trying to hard, I now have to resist getting to excited when I get the chance to affirm beautiful discoverers who are truly hungry for the true bread on wall street, i mean, of life.

It reminds me the first time I read of C.S. Lewis in my Freshman Norton Reader, i have these thoughts and this author says words that I have never heard said before but somehow I understand these words as if I have known them all my life. This kind of inner awakening, confirmation and profound validation is a rare experience that encourages me to be even more diligent about prioritizing my submission to the role of spiritual teachers in my life.

This is a great way to introduce the story of god and jesus to someone new. A fresh perspective on how people were created to serve and rule over all creation, and take part in god's ultimate restoration of the planet. Good book!

A terrific book. Martoia unpacks the gospel in a way I've never seen. Highly recommended.