Joshua's Bible

Rating:
Summary: Scholarly attention to detail
Review: Christian Fiction cannot better be characterized than by the addition of Joshua's Bible to its ranks. I must admit that it took me a long time to get to this book, I subconsciously put it on the back burner for a number of months but when I finally sat down and devoted the time to reading it, I was blown away by the level of maturity of the author, the content and story line of the novel and the level of involvement that I as the reader had in the story. Well written to say the least, a truly enjoyable novel.

Set in the 1930's and 40's, Joshua Clay is coming into his own, as a man and as a man of God. Graduating from Seminary in Philadelphia he is recommended by his Bishop to enter into the mission field even though he has an offer from his home church to be their minister. Deciding to stay at school, and after another year of intense training for such an honor, he is sent to Africa to begin preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who haven't experienced Him, as those in the states would like them to. Pride fills his family as he endeavors to do something so privileged but Joshua has misgivings on leaving and traveling so far that are echoed throughout his family and most especially with his girlfriend who again has to sit back and watch his career blossom without her. Upon arriving in Africa and experiencing the highly politicized and cultural division between Africans, Americans and Afrikaans Joshua experiences some measure of doubt between his calling and the necessity of his mission. This coupled with the friendships that he develops among a prominent family in the village that he calls home during his mission changes and matures Joshua in ways he hadn't imagined. He experiences love, and compassion. He experiences untold strength and courage and becomes a better man in the mission field. Joshua's Bible is a love story; a testimony to the way that God moves through our inner being and that is reflected to the outside world. I was amazed at the youthful maturity that Joshua displayed and his ability to orchestrate change.

Church book clubs immediately come to mind as a captive audience for Joshua's Bible. There are characters in the book and scenes that are tailor made for discussions in such a setting. The writing is wonderful, it seems that Miss Leanne has done a wonderful job of researching the characters and plot and combining these elements so eloquently. I haughtily recommend reading Joshua's Bible to any avid reader, a truly inspiring tale.

Rating:
Summary: Christian Fiction at its best
Review: Christian Fiction cannot better be characterized than by the addition of Joshua's Bible to its ranks. I must admit that it took me a long time to get to this book, I subconsciously put it on the back burner for a number of months but when I finally sat down and devoted the time to reading it, I was blown away by the level of maturity of the author, the content and story line of the novel and the level of involvement that I as the reader had in the story. Well written to say the least, a truly enjoyable novel.

Set in the 1930's and 40's, Joshua Clay is coming into his own, as a man and as a man of God. Graduating from Seminary in Philadelphia he is recommended by his Bishop to enter into the mission field even though he has an offer from his home church to be their minister. Deciding to stay at school, and after another year of intense training for such an honor, he is sent to Africa to begin preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who haven't experienced Him, as those in the states would like them to. Pride fills his family as he endeavors to do something so privileged but Joshua has misgivings on leaving and traveling so far that are echoed throughout his family and most especially with his girlfriend who again has to sit back and watch his career blossom without her. Upon arriving in Africa and experiencing the highly politicized and cultural division between Africans, Americans and Afrikaans Joshua experiences some measure of doubt between his calling and the necessity of his mission. This coupled with the friendships that he develops among a prominent family in the village that he calls home during his mission changes and matures Joshua in ways he hadn't imagined. He experiences love, and compassion. He experiences untold strength and courage and becomes a better man in the mission field. Joshua's Bible is a love story; a testimony to the way that God moves through our inner being and that is reflected to the outside world. I was amazed at the youthful maturity that Joshua displayed and his ability to orchestrate change.

Church book clubs immediately come to mind as a captive audience for Joshua's Bible. There are characters in the book and scenes that are tailor made for discussions in such a setting. The writing is wonderful, it seems that Miss Leanne has done a wonderful job of researching the characters and plot and combining these elements so eloquently. I haughtily recommend reading Joshua's Bible to any avid reader, a truly inspiring tale.

Rating:
Summary: God's Instrument
Review: God called Joshua Clay to preach at an early age. And as a student at Wilberforce University in Ohio, he is working towards his goal of becoming a minister and eventually pastoring his own church. As graduation looms on the horizon, Joshua is given the opportunity of a lifetime, he is offered a position as a missionary in South Africa. This is a very unique opportunity since the story takes place in the 1930's, and Joshua is a Black male experiencing South Africa's system of apartheid. Joshua looks to God for guidance and God leads him to South Africa, on a journey that will change his life. He discovers that the people of Africa are nothing like he imagined; they don't live in the jungle or swing from trees.

What he does find is that Blacks are very oppressed in their own land as well, and are considered savages and heathens by the white minority. Even though this seems like a dismal situation, Joshua is determined to make his imprint on the people to whom he will minister. Unfortunately, due to pressures and restrictions from his bosses, conforming to the rules by which he is governed will not be easy for him. As a result, Joshua compromises himself and is blind to the injustices committed against his congregation each day.

God should be who Joshua listens to, but his superiors at the mission see things differently, and because of this, life for Joshua is hard. In JOSHUA'S BIBLE, author Shelly Leanne takes readers on a spiritual journey, and she uses pain and inspiration as the guides. This wonderful novel touched my heart and soul and I feel inspired to recommend it to others.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Historical novels are difficult to pull off, but Ms. Leanne succeeds in this difficult genre with skill and aplomb.

Rating:
Summary: Passionate Story
Review: I am very much torn with this book. It is a wonderful read and the author has an intense, passionate story to tell which she does with an excellent style of prose.

The sadness and evil that humans impose upon other humans, here exhibited in the South African culture, is truly something we each can oppose and condemn. The story told here of Joshua journeying to SA to become a missionary who eventually realizes the mission society that sent him is much the enemy of justice.

However, to relate this seeking of justice so strongly with the God the Bible does not present the Biblical picture completely true. Where is there any evidence of Jesus protesting the government's inhumane treatment? And there certainly was political oppression of the Israelites. Jesus even has opportunities to do so but resists, for His kingdom is not about this world's kingdoms and politics, nor His the oppression which He came to set all humanity free from to be correlated exactly with each and every political, social oppressed group. This sort of misinformed theology is known as "liberation theology" and is not Biblical. Does not the Lord say that His peace is not anything that this world can give, and that His kingdom is not of this world? It is difficult to understand but careful Biblical reading and interpretation will not allow any of us to read into it our own political/social needs. His kingdom of grace is about the oppression of original sin and its forgiveness in Him crucified for it.

Let this not put any total damper on this excellent read. One cannot help but read this work and be moved by the inhumanity done to the people Joshua falls in love with. The involvement of Gospel preachers of Jesus Christ and the governments of this world must not be confused. For an excellent review of the major Christian responses to this, see Robert Webber's excellent work, "The Church in the World," and Gene Veith's book on the Kingdom of God.

Rating:
Summary: Great Debut
Review: I initially dismissed this novel because I knew that it would have its painful moments. But when I started to read it, I really fell in love with the book. You have this African American in the 1930s, who against the better judgment of many, goes to South Africa. He tries to do what the mission board tells him by preaching in English only, advocate the reading of the English Bible as opposed to the marula Bible which is written in the Xhosa language,and discourage from taking a more professional ciricullum, but when he sees that the numbers dwindle during his services,the student's reaction to him initially, and his inaction proves to be an act of defiance towards his students and parishoners that he changes his tune, learns the language and preaches in it, help get a set of older ladies out of jail,encourage the students,participate in marches and protest against the pass laws and relocations, and even falls in love and marry a lovely African woman. One more thing I enjoyed about this is the way they described the landscape of South Africa. It was beautiful. Made you think that you were there as well. This book was great and highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A Best Kept Secret!
Review: Joshua's Bible is a poignent; moving, engaging and soul stirring novel that resonated in my heart and mind. Joshua's Bible is a hidden jewel, and once you discover it--you will fall in love with the heart, message and servanthood of a strong man of God---Joshua Clay.

Reviewed by The GOOD GIRL Book Club http://www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Shelly LeAnne's debut novel,Joshua's Bible, is overwhemingly impressive. It is a well written and vividly descriptive story of social and religious adversities that
existed in South Africa during the 1930's.
The Rev. Josohua Clay, a graduate of Wilberforce Univ., the first African American Missionary to be sent to So. Africa was full of enthusiasm and anticipation when he was selected.
This dynamic and eloquent preacher looked forward to spreading the gospel of Christianity to the South Africans, but soon found out upon his arrival that he would have to preach sermons from the prospective of the denomination that had sent him which was contrary to his Christian beliefs.
LeAnne gives a moving story of the social climate and culture at that time. She vividly describes the secenery, characters, and conflicts, also the importance of one's convictions.
Shelly LeAnne has proven from her first book that it won't be the last. It is very well written.
AMUST READ FOR ALL!!

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Shelly LeAnne's debut novel,Joshua's Bible, is overwhemingly impressive. It is a well written and vividly descriptive story of social and religious adversities that
existed in South Africa during the 1930's.
The Rev. Josohua Clay, a graduate of Wilberforce Univ., the first African American Missionary to be sent to So. Africa was full of enthusiasm and anticipation when he was selected.
This dynamic and eloquent preacher looked forward to spreading the gospel of Christianity to the South Africans, but soon found out upon his arrival that he would have to preach sermons from the prospective of the denomination that had sent him which was contrary to his Christian beliefs.
LeAnne gives a moving story of the social climate and culture at that time. She vividly describes the secenery, characters, and conflicts, also the importance of one's convictions.
Shelly LeAnne has proven from her first book that it won't be the last. It is very well written.
AMUST READ FOR ALL!!

Rating:
Summary: Scholarly attention to detail
Review: The attention to historical and cultural detail in this book brings alive a time and a place far away from most of us. It also raises up the multifaceted nature of social and racial discrimination in a way that is breathtakingly balanced. A beautiful read.