Book of the Month
January 2004
Review by Marge Barretta

Joshua's Bible; a novel by Shelly Leanne, c. 2003; published by Warner Book, Inc. with Walk Worthy Press.

This is a timely read as we seek to celebrate the passion of Martin Luther King Jr. in the month of January. Although the text of this book is written as that which occurred before the days of MLK Jr., it speaks volumes about being created in God's image, loving our neighbor as ourselves, and dreams of being free at last.

This is a book for all those who seek to share the love of Jesus with the oppressed and persecuted. This book is a goldmine destined to increase your faith, your resolve not to grow weary in doing good, and your ability through Christ to stand and stand some more.

Young Joshua is a 1930's African American called and gifted as a minister. He accepts an invitation from an African Missionary Council to be a Christian leader among the Xhosa people in South Africa. Feel Joshua's pain as he leaves his family home in  Philadelphia during the Great Depression, only to discover the negative impact his presence as an "honorary white" has among his native people. Experience the heartache along with Joshua when he is told what and when to preach. And then worse than that, Joshua is also given orders about where he will be allowed to preach this expected compromised message. Then find your spirits lifted as Joshua takes a stand for his faith, and the true meaning of being free indeed, alongside powerful novel characters during the height of turbulent apartheid years.

This story is rich in historical facts and it's text is steeped in the importance of family, language, and cultural traditions. You will be both educated and reminded to meditate on God's strength and perseverance in the midst of injustice.

What more can be said? This a must read. In fact it is a must read AGAIN. I read this book a while back, but it is definitely one that I both need and suggest to read at least twice. God has anointed novelist Shelly Leanne and what He has to say through her pages of Joshua's Bible deserves to be heard and retold again and again.

*** Suggested Scripture: Jeremiah 29:8,  and Jeremiah 29:11-14 (Click on scripture reference to go there)