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Summary: An Earthly Jesus
Review: The Jesus of the Bible has been either made religious, to please the Jewish and Hellenistic approaches, or completely stripped of any religious beliefs and made secular. Joseph Girzone walks a fine line and keeps Joshua (the Hebrew name for Jesus) earthly yet with divine characteristics. What I like about the novel is that it is accurate in its biblical references and yet puts Joshua in modern small town America. Interestingly enough, Joshua is at home in all churches or synagogues and yet not confined to any one of them. The earthly Jesus transcends religion and yet is fond of the truths found in all religions. Only someone who has suffered and who seeks to meet people's needs could have written this book. I am a pastor and found renewed faith in an imperfect church through reading this book. Only an earthly Jesus could accept Jews and Christians, Muslims and atheists -- which is the theme of Girzone's more recent books. Joshua transcends religion. And he has grace for all human beings.
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Summary: the best book i've read...
Review: this book really opened my eyes to what god really is and actually the meaning of life... i've recomended this book to everyone. it's great. very insightful.
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Summary: Refreshing and Provocative!
Review: I was not prepared for the impact this simple little book would have on me. Father (and I was thankful to get background on him -- I wondered what person could have had such insight) Girzone articulated my growing concerns for organized religion. I've often wondered what Jesus would think of what we've done with His teachings... I also find myself patterning my behavior after this Joshua -- being more "contemporary" he makes a fine role model as I try to become more Christlike in my own Faith Walk.
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Summary: The Commandment of Jesus Christ...
Review: The commandment of Jesus Christ is to love the Lord God with all your heart, and to love you neighbor as you love yourself. Only by complying with this commandment can you even hear the Word of God.This novel illustrates how far we have strayed from the teachings of Christ, and how we pretend at being Christians. It is hard, even in Christian America to find a Christian, even among the clergy. This book illustrates the many ways we fool ourselves into thinking we are Christian when we are not. I gave it only four stars because Joshua did not find any true Christians with the courage of their convition. They do exist here and there in the USA.
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Summary: Joshua
Review: This lovely book describes God and religion in a simple and melodic style. Joshua is a wonderful example of God's message of love. It also makes you wonder, "If Jesus was in our midst today - would we recognize him?" Father Girzone does a wonderful job of emphasizing there isn't just one "right" religion. He reinforces that God's love and loving God transends all boundaries and limitations.
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Summary: Loved It !!!!
Review: Well I live in NY and often visit Father Grizone for retreats. When he gave me a copy of Joshua and Joey, I melted. I am 12 and you usually dont come across books, especially thosed based particulary on religion to be..to interesting. Bu this book and the message it gave out was so touchin , that you couldnt help but loving it. I love you Joey and may GOd bless you.
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Summary: Beautiful
Review: This book is by far one of the best books I have ever read. It is truly inspirational. I found that it is like reading about Jesus in modern times and it helped me see how I can be more like Him. Fascinating book and wonderfully written. I recommend this book to everyone who is slightly interested in what Jesus was like, what He thought and how we can strive to be more like Him. Absolutely beautiful book.
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Summary: What Would Jesus Really Do
Review: It has been many years since I first read Joshua. To be honest, I approached the book with a certain sense of beguilement. I had know the author many years earlier and wanted to see what he could do as a writer. I think it would be fair to say that I am moderate to conservative when it comes to the Church. However, as I read Joshua, the Jesus of my schooling became flesh and blood. He is the Christ, totally devine but yet so totally human. Joshua puts into the 20th and the 21st Century mindscape what Jesus might be like if He came back today. His humility is inspiring, His simplicity captivating. For those who have a hard time with the apparent criticism in the book of the current structure, be assured. Disagreement and dialogue are the high points of all the Church Councils. The Jesus we meet in the New Testament was the same back then. He did not hesitate to stir up the minds of those who sought union with the Father. No, you do not have to agree with everything in the book. No, you do not have to like the style in which it was written and , no, you do not need to buy lock,stock and barrel into what the author is saying but what you do need to do is read this book and ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?" You'll be surprised, I promise you!
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Summary: Wonderful!!!
Review: This book had everything true about it. All Joshua said was pure fact. This is actually the REAL way. This book is so well written too. It is such a touching story. He is so humble. This is a perfect example of real religion. Buy it, its great!
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Summary: Not the Jesus of any Bible Translation I've Ever Read
Review: Any such attempt as this to describe what it would be like if Jesus were to be here on this earth in a contemporary setting (although He is sacramentally) is difficult and most likely hedges on being dangerous. Christians are tied to the revealed truths of God in His revelation alone, a doctrine the historic Christian church has known as "the sufficiency" of Scripture (see Acts 20:27; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Luke 16:29). Hence there are no deficiencies in the Bible to be supplied by Girzone or anyone. This wonderful sufficiency of Scripture applied to Girzone's opinions of Jesus' reaction to our modern spiritual situation thus justly allows us to critique his conclusions concerning this by seeing how well they stack up against the Biblical record, especially that of the Gospels. A careful examination and comparison of this book to that of what the Bible teaches about Jesus notices an astonishing lack of any clear statement of the Gospel, the fundamental and only reason God became incarnate as a human! Joshua makes no such proclamation of His coming "to serve and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt.20:28). Also, glaringly void is any mention of Himself in His favorite way as either the Son of Man of the Son of God. Here, Joshua speaks in generalities which suggest more of moral flavor than Jesus' concentration on the kingdom of heaven and forgiveness of sins. Also disheartening is Girzone's total vacuum of Scripture coming from the Lord's mouth. In fairness, it must be commended to Girzone for his sensitivity to aiding the poor and unfortunate of this world, and his exposure of his own church body's concentration on works righteousness and spiritual hierachy. However, having said this, one needs to be reminded that all of these on their own, without true saving faith in the crucified Christ for sin, are worthless before the Creator/Judge of all things. Therefore, this book exemplifies and attracts those who are not firm in their Biblical knowledge. I would stronly not recommend this or any of the other Joshua series.
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