"Efter 2000 år får mänskligheten en ny chans...
Det lilla samhället surrar av rykten. Vem är främlingen som slagit sig ner i den sömniga småstaden? Någon menar sig ha sett honom bära en väldigt stock på sina skuldror - utan svårigheter. Andra talar om en liten flicka i fattigkvarteret som var allvarligt sjuk. Sedan hon besökt främlingen blev hon genast frisk.
Vad vill han egentligen? Lugnt och kärleksfullt vädjar han till människorna att riva de barriärer som skiljer dem och se på varandra med förståelse och respekt. Reaktionerna är blandade. En del dras till honom. Andra blir rädda. Till slut bestämmer sig några kyrkoledare för att konfrontera honom..."

I-2

My sister handed Joshua to me while she was cleaning out her book collection. It seemed to be an easy read so I took it home with me. Getting to know Joshua was nice and I enjoyed the simple reading and easy life that Joshua chose. But it became pretty clear early that this book would have some similarities to a story we read about in the Gospels. I couldn’t help but get a little anxious anticipating a disappointing ending. There were some difficult messages in the book, some I couldn’t agree with, some I was saddened to agree with. I tried to keep an open mind and realized that my emotional reactions paralleled some of the characters in the book and I realized that is a great gift for a writer.

I believe that Joseph was called to write this book after experiencing and seeing the dark side of religion. The side that many of us have experienced in various ways. I felt a little hopeless while reading this but realized the heart of the message is for each of us to choose how we treat one another. It is a reminder of a beautiful life and a model for us all. I remember traveling to Greece and one one of the little Islands we were taken to the storage place for the history of the Greek Orthodox churches on the island. This tiny building was jam packed with picture, statues, confessionals, candles, more pictures, more statues, more artistic history. I sat on the floor to rest while the island guide told us about the history of all these icons. A friend took a picture of me and shared it with me later. She said I looked exhausted with a far away look in my eyes. The truth is that I was sad and what I was thinking was this is not what Jesus had in mind. I think Joseph has had some similar feelings through his life as a Catholic Priest.

Take the time to read Joshua and consider it an opportunity to strengthen your friendships with those in the bible. Be careful to remember the heart of the message when Joseph aptly describes some of the religious leaders we know today but gives us a reminder of the how we may choose to live our lives in a more loving way, what he believes Jesus intended for us. ( )

When Joshua moves to a small cabin on the edge of town, the local people are at first mystified, then confused by his presence. A quiet and simple man, Joshua appears to seek nothing for himself. He supports himself solely by carpentry and woodworking, and he charges very little for his services. Yet his work is exquisite. Even more exquisite, and even more mysterious, is the extraordinary effect he has on everyone he meets. All who come in contact with him can't help but be transformed by his incredible warmth. The acceptance and love in his eyes and in each actions amazes the townspeople. Who is Joshua and just what is he up to? The answer to that question amazes them almost as much discovery of that same transforming power in each of their own hearts.

Joshua is written by a priest who is obviously unhappy with the direction of the Catholic Church, as well as many other authoritarian churches. His character represents what would be Jesus coming back to modern times and decrying how "the church" and "religion" are not what was originally preached in the Gospels. His simple lifestyle brings peace and joy to many, along with a few miracles, but he is forced to answer to the Pope. ( )