FREE ESSAY ON JOSHUA BY JOSEPH GIRZONE

JOSHUA BY JOSEPH GIRZONE

Joshua and the Shepherd 
Copyright 1990 by Joseph Girzone
Published by Simon & Schuster Inc. 
The book Joshua and The Shepherd is a novel, in which the author creates a model for
the Catholic Church. The author, Joseph Girzone, presents the reader with many changes
that
could be made to the Catholic Church. He writes on the possible impact of these changes
and the
attempts that certain Church members take to block them. 
In reading this book you will quickly ascertain that the author is very vivid in painting
a
picture in you minds eye of the incidence he is describing. In the first paragraph, of
the book, he
goes into a description of the beautiful day that the story starts on. Throughout the
book this
style is continued. You can almost feel a small presence of God in the weather and
scenery that
he brings to life in his writing. 
The book opens with the Consecration of the new bishop, David Campbell, for the
diocese that most of the events in the book take place. This bishop is the main character
in the
book. The plot centers on the changes that he tries to make within the Catholic Church.
After
David is consecrated he has a revelation. In this revelation the Holy Spirit moves David
to do
everything in his power to shift the focus of the church to one of unity and forgiveness,
as
opposed to a church that is bound by strict laws. The second character that is brought in
after
David's revelation is named Joshua. The author never specifically says who Joshua is, but
you
get the impression that he is either a prophet or possibly Jesus himself. Through out the
book
David puts himself on the line for his beliefs. Transcending many of the self imposed
barriers on
religion, that humans have erected over the years, was a key point that David focused on.
With
constant support and fellowship from his friend Joshua, and the Pope, he eventually
succeeds
with his efforts and establishes unity of almost all Christians within his diocese. In
the later part
of the story after Joshua has succeeded he is sent away to a quite, poor, and remote
diocese to
"punish" him for everything he did to change the Catholic Church. He never loses faith
though
and in the end he is voted to be the new Pope when his friend the old Pope dies.
I feel that this book is excellent reading material for the class. It goes hand in hand
with 
the textbook we are using. Allan Schreck and Joseph Girzone are obviously of common
thought
when it comes to promoting unity among Christians. When you read the novel you get a feel
for
a lot of terms used in the catholic church. Under most circumstances these terms are
foreign to
typical Protestant Christians. They make sense and have more meaning to me now that I
have
read the novel. 
There are many things that I personally like about the book Joseph and the Shepherd. It
portrays the catholic church in a light that I have never really seen before. You are
given an
example of an almost perfect utopia for the unification of all Christians. However, I do
feel that
the author used an un- realistic time frame for the changes manifested in the church. In
reality I
think it would take much longer for David Campbell to see the fruit of all his labor.
But, I really
do like the ideas that are presented. The specific scenarios that David finds himself in
are very
moving. These scenarios are brought to life so well that you can almost experience some
of the
feelings that were inspiring David to do the work he felt called to do. The selfless way
that he
reaches out to Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, and Jews really makes a lot of sense to
me. I like
the way the way that David looks beyond "religion" and concentrates on the true basics
of
Christianity. He denounces the legalistic hypocrisy of some church leaders and reaches
out to all
people with a love that reflects that of Christ's. 
This is definitely a book that I would recommend to a wide variety of people. I
would definitely recommend it to any Protestant who wants to see what kind of direction
the
Catholic Church could take to include them. The book is a vision of what could happen and
it
might give hope to any Protestant who believes that all Christians should unite. I would
also
recommend this book to any Catholics who are open minded to "modernization" of their
church. 
It would give them a view of what positive things could happen if they were to redefine
some of
their legalistic traditions from a point that Christ would take. Concentrating on
delivering the
gospel message to all man in a manner that displays the love and mercy of God, rather
then a
harsh and judgmental One. In reading this Catholics could see an example of how people
may
respond more positively to a more merciful message. I would also recommend this book to
someone who had no is neither Catholic or Protestant but is interested in being saved. I
believe
that it would give them a perspective of salvation that is fresh and inviting. It is been
thought by
many leaders in the past that the best way to have people do what you want of them is to
have
them fear you. I disagree with this. I think the greatest power is that of faith,
loyalty, and
friendship. If new converts are being brought in to the church out of fear, what kind of
starting
point is that for their Christian life? The corner stone for their salvation is one of
guilt and fright. 
In my opinion the majority of the times that Jesus was delivering a message of
condemnation or
rebuke he seemed to be directing it towards the religious leaders of the day, and not the
common
crowds. 
Not only would a message of love entice more converts but it would leave them in a
fallow environment for furthering their Christian faith. I would compare it almost to
someone's
first experience to military life. You start with basic training which teaches strict
discipline and
an adherence to the rules set in place. It is a time where you can no longer live your
life as you
used to but must make changes in actions and behavior. After basic you go through a few
years
of being on the bottom of the ladder. Once you are higher up though you have the attitude
that,
"I went through all the hard times so you should too." You don't want anyone beneath you
to
have it any easier then you did. I feel that sometimes Christians take this stance with
other
Christians and it discourages them from continuing to "run the race", as Paul says.
Joseph
Girzone portrays a open and loving church in his book and most people would accept his
message before that of a preacher shouting about fire and brimstone.
This book has been very helpful to me because it clarified where the Catholic church
currently
stands on many issues, and the ideas, that at least one Priest has, on what direction it
might go. It
also helped me understand some peoples aversion to church and it's leaders. I have
always
believed that Jesus intended for the church to unite around common Christian principles.

Although, diversion and concentration on specific religious practices does brings out
many
different manifestations of the Holy Spirit. I have for example, felt very close to God
before
while listening to the Eucharist and, I have felt just as moved while singing songs of
worship in a
church that is more open to self expression