Static, that’s the title of Ron Martoia’s new book. Ron is a former student of mine and now is a “transformational architect”. I’m not quite sure what that is, but it sounds cool. As Ron’s former teacher, I must admit that I’m proud of what he has done. But, I have to say this: he’s way-too-handsome. Just look at these pictures. How does one get one’s hair to grow like this, Ron? Send me the stuff.
He travels around the world teaching leaders how to implement change, and he has become an expert in learning how to speak the gospel into a postmodern culture. This book does just that. No matter how much fun I’m having with him today, I take this book seriously.
Static weaves in and out of stories and Bible and some solid history — all in an effort to take old crusty terms, turn off the static, and give us new insight. How do you eliminate static? Get behind the terms to see what they were doing in their day and give them new life in our day. Ron does this as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.
Here are some terms that come alive in new ways in Static: gospel, born again, salvation, separation from God, sin, kingdom of God, repentance and saved by grace.
Now here’s my claim: this book introduces ordinary people to the basic message of Jesus — and it does so in a historically responsible way, a way that takes the Bible seriously, and that does so in a way that knows that the postmoderns have taught us about how language works. There is no book quite like it. Every youth pastor needs it; most pastors need it too. I’m thinking of using it in my Jesus class.
Hey, if you happen to see Ron, say this: “Scot says hello to GQ!” See what I mean? Hey, Ron, smile!