Joshua's Bible

by Shelly Leanne

Book Overview

Set in the 1930s, this novel tells the story of a young black minister, Joshua Clay, whose life is profoundly changed when his missionary work takes him to South Africa.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446530328
• ISBN13: 9780446530323
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Walk Worthy Press
• Length: 367 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up

Customer Reviews

I went to South Africa

This book took me to South Africa. I love every word, sentence and chapter of this book. When I finished this book, I found myself going back to visit the chracters, because I had missed them. Highly recommended. This is a story of faith, and love. I can't wait until this author writes another book. Please hurry!!!!!!

Scholarly attention to detail

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.

God's Instrument

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. HawksThe RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

A Must Read

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!!

A must read

This book should be on everybody's "must read" list. Leanne takes the cover off the foreign mission field and challenges us to consider what it means to separate faith and culture. This book will make you think about what it means to be a Christian according to the Bible, and what it means according to American culture. The time has come for us understand and make clear the difference in being Christian and being American. Leanne puts us on the road to doing just that. Read this book and you won't be disappointed. It's right up there with Sharon Foster's Passing by Samaria. I don't think I can give it any higher praise.