Joshua

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Summary: A Simple, Clear and Important Message in a Mediocre Story
Review: I have some mixed feelings about this book. Portraying Jesus in a modern setting is risky business. Sometimes I think there's a little too much of Fr. Girzone in Joshua, but I'm sure that there is also plenty of Jesus in Fr. Girzone. He has a good and thought-provoking message, one that is simply and clearly stated (if often too repetitive) so that many people will be able to understand it and think seriously about it. As an elaborate parable, the story conveys some important messages.

The modern-day Jesus (Joshua) is a great artist and skilled craftsman. His portrayals of Moses and St. Peter in wood carvings have a powerful effect on on those who behold them. But the author's skill in telling a story does not do justice to the subject. Almost all of the characters seem like caricatures and much of the dialog seems artificial. The book resorts to describing the personality of its characters more than realistically portraying them. The story has some wonderful features. Joshua is far more readily accepted by Jews on his second visit than by Christians. The book presents this as a very plausible scenario. Yet Joshua's dramatic effect on the lives of specific individuals is more described than dramatized. The book fails to draw the reader in very deeply here. The story mainly (and too obviously) serves as a vehicle for Joshua's brief discourses on the current state of religion and Christianity in particular.

In the book Fr. Girzone expresses his view, through Joshua, that art should have a definite message. Yet art itself is a message; an expression of God's image and creativity through human effort. If the message in a work of art is strong, the quality of the art must be much stronger still in order to avoid its being dominated by the message. Art that is completely dominated by its message is mere propaganda. Joshua is worth reading for the message it conveys, but the story is too dominated by the author's message to be considered an effective medium.

Rating:
Summary: interesting premise, terrible writing
Review: I am mystified by the number of reviewers who write that they have read this book more than once. I could barely get through it one time. I am a person who has accepted Christ, and as such I found the parable interesting and even inspiring on occasion. However, the writing was so poor that I ended up just skimming the last couple of chapters.

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Summary: Sanhedran Redux
Review: If Christ's teachings set the practitioner free, why does established religion impose a set of rigid rules and traditions on their followers? In his book, "Joshua", Fr Girzone beautifully reexplores this territory first broached by Dostoevsky in his chapter "The Grand Inquisitor" in "the Brothers Karamazov". Girzone asks the question, "Can mankind shed its true nature, throw away its need for power and truly embrace the simple life that Christ advocates?" In "The Grand Inquisitor", Christ reappears, His love of man evident in the simple miraculous acts he performs when he walks among the sick and poor. These actions cause attention to be drawn to Him, and eventually He is imprisioned by the grand inquisitor who engages Him in a lengthy conversation regarding what the established Church provides the people and exactly what the Church is unwilling to sacrifice in order to truly follow Christ's example. The Grand Inquisitor fully admits the the Church has supplanted the role of Christ in the lives of its congregation and in effect is responsible for the "non-existence" of God.

Similarly, in "Joshua", Christ reappears in a small town in upstate New York. Joshua is a wood carver who lives simply, enjoys the beauty of nature and above all has the ultimate compassion for anyone he encounters who is in physical, spiritual or mental need. Word of Joshua's simple lifestyle sets the town's ears on fire and curiosity drives them to meet Joshua for themselves. No one is disappointed. As Joshua's popularity grows, he is singled out by leaders of the established churches and the synagogue. As in the Grand Inquisitor, Joshua eventually comes head to head with the powerful leaders of the established religion and the egotistical need man has for power. As in the gospels, His words are meant to break down the hierarchical authority that enslaves rather than frees its underlings. His message is heard only by a few and as in the past,it is discussed, mulled over and spread. And when it becomes bureaucratized?

This feel-good book has a simply rendered yet powerful message. I recommend it to anyone who wants a modern version of the impact Christ must have had on anyone he encountered. His humanity and divinity are superbly and finely drawn.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book!
Review: I found this book, "Joshua," so very moving and a wonderful story. The writing style is wonderful and easy to understand. It really deserves all of the stars it can get. I think it makes one feel closer to Jesus and is a great scenero of what it would be like if he walked here now on earth. A must read for all Chritians. It is well worth the money and is really a classic now.

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Summary: Where's the depth?
Review: This story lacked any character development. I don't see why people would be so mystified by Joshua. All the characters were simply written. I didn't like the book at all. Perhaps it was written for fifth graders? Was thinking it may instill some good discussion in my book club but I thank my lucky stars I never picked it. I barely finished it, it was AWFUL.

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Summary: A Well Depicted Look Into Faith
Review: This book was recommended to me by a good friend of mine. She said that it was one of her favorite books, and that I should read it since I have been having some questions about faith. I have been very confused as to what I believe, but after reading this book I realized that it does't really matter where I pray, so long as I have faith and believe. It really is a parable for today, as it shows how Jesus would be treated if he were to come back today. Throughout the book, Joshua keeps his strong faith and shares many of his beliefs with curious townsfolk. This book truly has been "life-changing" and "inspiring" in my turbulent life. It was truly uplifting for my spirituality.

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Summary: Changes View of the Church
Review: Reading this book was a breath of fresh air. I have always struggled with religion, which one to belong to, which one was right. After reading this book I realized that as long as I am worshipping Jesus and trying my best to follow him, it doesn't matter what church, if any, I'm doing it in. Knowing this freed my spirit to truly follow Jesus and his teachings instead of the rules of churches.

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Summary: This book re-affirmed what I've always believed in my heart.
Review: My wife and I read this book the year before our first son was born, (he's 6 now), and it had such a profound effect on our lives, that we named him after the book. To me, this book confirmed in my mind what years of Catholic catechism could not: that you don't have to belong to one specific religion or attend church to believe in God, have Him in your heart, and live by His guidance. I often wonder why there are second hand gospels written by Christ's disciples on His life and teachings, yet He never put pen to paper and wrote his own gospel. Could it be that He did, yet there are people in this world keeping His writings hidden so they won't lose their power base? Could it be that He delivered his gospel through Joseph Girzone a second time to provide us with His message? I believe that this book outlines what would have been Christ's gospel in written form for the modern times we live in. To those whose mind focussed on the gramatical correctness of the text, or the simple minded approach to modern day attitudes of the characters simply missed the point, and the message. This book is a wonderful read, inspiring, and an open invitation to the world to accept any and all religious beliefs equally and without prejudice.

Rating:
Summary: Simple, yes, but profound
Review: I have read some of the negative reviews of this book above, and have come to the conclusion that those who write in such a negative way do not have the true Spirit of Christ in them. Finding petty things such as Girzone's grammar is just missing the whole point of the book. "Unless you become as little children you will by no means enter the kingdom of God". Girzone approaches this book with a childlike view of Jesus. Not too complex. He only wants peace, and does not like to see all of the bickering that goes on in Christian circles. God is too big for us to argue so much, He does not live in a box. He came to serve us, to die for us, and to give us abundant life. I am not Catholic, and I read this book and know that the Spirit of God is strong in this author. He is my brother in Christ, and we are of the same Body.

I would like to commend this book for its recognition of the Jewish roots of Christianity. I happen to attend a Messianic Synagogue (Jewish Christian congregation), and in my work I was confronted by a Catholic lady who was very, very against me associating with "Jewish people", even if they were Christians. Anytime I mentioned something about the Jewish people, I was verbally attacked by this person, who actually was a friend. Well, she happened to have a child named Joshua, and came across this book in a garage sale. It interested her because it carried the same name of her child. She began to read this book, and slowly began to ask a lot of questions (since the book was written by a former Catholic priest, she was more open-minded to what he had to say). She was amazed to find out that Jesus was Jewish, so were all of the disciples, and as a matter of fact, most of the first believers in the Messiah! Within a month, her attitude totally changed, and she apologized for all of the things she said to me. She realized where her roots were, and that there was an anti-Semitic spirit in her, though she did not see it at the time. Thanks to this book, her ignorance about the Jewish people was done away with, and her relationship with God grew even more. This book is a parable, and Jesus spoke in parables, and they had a profound impact. I know this book has had a profound impact on many people. It is not complex doctrine. It is simple. God loves people, and wants people to love Him, and to love each other. It's that simple. Those who fight against it, my only prayer is that they may one day feel God's love in such a strong way that they will be set free from hatred, anger, and bitterness. As I am sure many of us were before we came to experience God's love and faithfulness. A great book, but you need to become like a child to read it, and hopefully in the process, will enter the kingdom of God and see His righteousness.

Rating:
Summary: Changed my life
Review: I now believe in a big, bad, bullying God who needs to be propitiated - He is certainly punishing us with this book and now with a film, too. I heard that Girzone initially wrote a book on Satan coming to a small town and setting up shop as a bad author, but realized that he wouldn't have as much of a chance at having a bestseller or a movie deal so he changed a few words and here is the result.