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Summary: Be of an open mind....
Review: Although I am only about half way done, I must say that I love this book. But, and a big BUT here, this book will make you question your faith, not in God, but in your beliefs and their structure. This is not for the fainthearted. This book will bring you to tears in that we, the people living today, are not that far removed from the Jews/Romans/Pagans of Jesus' time. There are good and bad in all. Pilate's wife became one of the followers of Christ and begged Pontius not to act. Nicodemus was one of the Jews in charge, but was Jesus' friend. So, what would happen if Jesus plunked himself down in your neighborhood? How many would accept him? How would your area be torn apart? Look at the fight going on now in Alabama over the 10 Commandments..the only religion that is winning is the Atheist...so 1% dictates..just like 2000 years ago. And we believe we are better off than then? Ha! Nice try.
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Summary: ?
Review: Do we really need another religious book? The answer is apparently yes when this was released and kids were forced to read it at school making them want to pry their eyes out and eat them because that might be more fun than reading this book.
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Summary: Makes You Think
Review: A friend of mine gave me her copy of this book to read and I was not disappointed at all. It had me in deep thought. I normally do not read religious novels, but I must say this was a great book. It was so good, that I purchased a copy and sent to another girlfriend to read. This book will not disappoint you what-so-ever.
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Summary: Very thought provoking
Review: Excellent book that captures the essence of Christianity. I bet the author, Joseph Girzone, has become very unpopular with the Catholic church after publishing this book.
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Summary: A simple message that should be listened to more........
Review: JOSHUA is a "what if" type story: What if Jesus came back today? Would he be disappointed in this fast paced world that we have become? Would He still love us unconditionally? Nay to the first question and aye to the second. Father Girzone writes a nice little parable with plenty of thought-provoking speeches from Joshua. The movie version was good too but it left out alot of events from the book and made up others. Still the book and DVD are inspiring.
Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: I've often been curious about what would REALLY happen if Jesus came back and walked among us today as a regular person. As a parable, I think this book has much to offer. Joshua is a kind, Godly individual, who models Christian humility, inclusiveness, dignity and values. It succeeds in getting it's message across about dealing with people and inclusiveness. However, I think the portrayals of some clergy seem to be a little stereotyped and the book makes me wonder whether the author had some unresolved issues with Catholic Church hierarchy. Also, the ending seemed a bit contrived. Still, parables can have happy endings, I suppose. I did enjoy reading this and watching the Joshua character develop. As religious fiction, it certainly succeeds as a gentle, thought-provoking read.
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Summary: Very Good!
Review: I have just completed reading the Bible as part of a 3-page a day quest. This book helped to make sense of that endeavor. It is the story of Jesus coming back in the 20th Century. The writing wasn't the best and the editing left much to be desired with many errors, but the story was very powerful and I would suggest it to those young and old alike.
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Summary: Joshua
Review: This book was theologically flawed. I think that some people could be led astray if they think that somehow truth is being taught. I find it to be destructive.
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Summary: Interesting concept but flawed execution
Review: This book has a lot of good ideas regarding religion but the writing is absolutely terrible - it's sometimes hard to figure out who is doing what to who. If you're just looking for some thought-provoking ideas, then this book may fit the bill, but in general, save your money and get it in from the library if you really need to read it.
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Summary: Gives and Takes
Review: Joseph's whole goal is much respected. Although rather obvious he was new to the writing world I commend him to try and achieve God's goal to make known Jesus' overall purpose is that we not get stuck on procedure in our pursuit to be what God wants us to be. Jesus used Joseph to write Joshua to show us this. The distraction may be for a lot of readers is to overlook the flow of the story in which Joshua often just "happens" to be able to speak about the way to Christ. This takes away from the author's need to make this book a reality in so many ways. I often got distracted by this--the author's need to summarize instead of create dialogue. It pulled me out of the story instead of putting me deeper into it. Another take away is that Joshua often gets a lot of people that just sit back and listen to him in a way which is rather unbelievable. No one ever opposing enough (accept for his direct enemies) and from the world we all live in this is just really unbelievable. People were to easily compliant with Joshua even though he was Jesus. It was not realistic. During the author's attempt to add to the book a reader often feels TOO preached to. I understand the attempts Joseph was trying to make and the only reason it doesn't work is because he was a novice writer at the time. Or needs some self-editing skills to prune his writing. Another take away is that the author often duplicates the actions of Jesus within Joshua in present day which is comendable and understandable since Jesus is always the same but in his pursuit to show the likelihood that history repeats itself and those today would still act toward Jesus the way they did in the past seems to get lost in his efforts due to the diluted writing. And also you read Joshua roaming off in memory about how people were in the past just a little too much. The purpose was to makes certain points about how things changed or how people did or didn't change but it tends to only make the reader a bit grouchy at the in and out of past and present tense. Something a writer shouldn't do unless really really necesary. Viewers/readers hate that. Joseph (the author) gives back to the story in many ways though... just to hear how complicated we all make life and all that Joshua (Jesus) has to say about how we could find the essence of joy is worth enduring the take-aways. I commend Joseph and definitely will not bash him just for trying. His book has done so much good for everyone!!! He may have not written it the best way... but I think he made God proud. It's not the mistakes he made that so much counted, but that he did what God probably wanted him to do regardless of the mistakes involved. Joseph the author taught me a lesson just as well as Joshua!
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