Fourteen-year-old Joshua Phillips dares to follow Jesus with all his heart, mind, and strength. As signs and wonders begin to follow the boy, his impact is immediate in his family, school, and small city. But following the Master isn’t without tribulations and trials.
When his little brother struggles with an aggressive sickness seemingly resistant to Joshua's prayers, when unexpected news arises about the mysterious girl he's courting, Lydia Claremont, and when darkness arises within the community bent on its destruction, these all collide with Joshua's determination to follow the One. Will the One within Joshua be enough to confront and overcome the challenges? Joshua is whispered to be the Jesus boy.
Perspective by Peter:
I have heard about this novel from author friends, readers from Goodreads and the author himself. I bought it in Jan 2018 and have looked forward to reading it since. So glad I have now! This is a novel that you don't forget in a hurry and it lingers with you! I will remember it fondly and with great respect and admiration! It is now in the category of one of my favourite novels out of the hundreds I have read (Goodreads says 1377 but I am sure there is more that I have not added to this platform). This review is from a revised edition dated 2019. I understand there are changes from the 2018 edition.
This novel does not just entertain greatly, but it challenges you in your faith, your relationship with God and stimulates a desire to know Him better and in a deeper way. This is a very powerful and influential novel. One of the aspects that impressed me greatly is how relatable this novel is. Russell immerses you in the teenage world of Joshua and his response to Jesus command to Follow Me (Jesus). Russell depicts Joshua's response as a literal and simple one, with Joshua understanding the full implications of what that means,
All at one moment, Joshua Phillips slammed the Book shut in both hands, the words he’d just read reverberating within him, probing inside his heart and mind, revealing for him in one moment his own insecurities, his failures, his joys, and his most ardent desires. A struggle ensued. A war of decisions and fears and ultimate joy mired together, all began with but two words spoken by the Master: “Follow Me.” Those words though spoken so many centuries before, whispered to him with a loudness that made his body tremble in anticipation of what they would mean for him, for his life, for those around him. He finally conceded, a triumph found only in surrender. And then came wave after wave of liberty coursing through him, of life streaming through every atomic particle of his being. For a moment, the weight of a mountain came and rested upon the young man’s shoulders and chest, pressing down upon him with an unspoken burden while lifting him to heights he’d never known before. The gentleness of the Unseen touched the vessel for just a moment and flooded his inner being. But even as the boy rejoiced, there came also a sense of foreboding—something that seemed not to originate from himself. The days ahead would be treacherous and the path uneven and strewn with hazards. Joshua nodded to himself even as the joy washed over him once more like a wave of warm ocean water. He would do all that was necessary to fulfill the Will not his own—even if it meant his very life.
What had happened to him during those twenty-one days he could never describe in words. His passion to touch the Untouchable had been fueled by more than emotion—but by words spoken by the Master millennia ago. “Follow me,” He’d said to a tax collector long ago. And in those three syllables, one man’s world had changed resulting in changes that no one could’ve fathomed because he had said yes. It had all begun for Joshua when he’d been impressed to read the Scriptures in a disciplined fashion after a weeklong renewal service at his church, New Horizons Fellowship. When he’d read those words by the Master, he’d stopped reading. An echo began to stir up within him. He’d considered the ramifications—and for a moment declined to consider what the words really meant to him. But then, the words had churned within him not allowing rest for the next few days. And in that wrestling of divine and disciple, the Lord had taken hold of Joshua and refused to let go. That eventual struggle had birthed a sweetness, peace, and joy that Joshua had never thought possible. His family immediately noticed the effect on him.
This is just an example of the spiritual setting that permeates this novel. There is a live connection between Joshua in the tangible (natural) world and the supernatural realm. We all wish and hope that we could hear the voice of God or the Spirit in our minds as if He is talking to us like we experience from those in our tangible world. We hear reports of this from people where God does this and other times where they know it is from God but none of His words is spoken as such. There are many times in this novel where Joshua hears the direct words from the Spirit and he obeys with no hesitation or doubt. Such is the obedience and surrender that Joshua has as a consequence of his decision to follow God. How many of us struggle with obedience and surrender to God. We do both then maybe take it back or go our own way for a bit.
Now Joshua does not have it easy. He is fighting against his own fallen nature and those at the mercy of the influences of the hidden enemy, the dark, spiritual forces, those who were thrown out of heaven from rebelling against God and now desire to take as many human souls with them to Hell in their continuing rebellion against God. Joshua makes mistakes, he disregards the Voice of God on occasion and suffers the consequences. In this way, Russell makes it relatable. We can all relate to Joshua's failing as we have done the same ourselves. But this is not just left there. Russell follows through with a contrite heart and repentance from Joshua and is restored to God. He feels the Presence again and revels in this live connection to God.
This is just one of the many lessons Russell has infused in this novel. It is a breath of fresh air to see what God can do to an individual when they surrender and obey totally to God,
as he sought to obey the Master’s calling upon his life to follow Him with everything within him.
One thing that impressed and impacted me greatly was that Joshua's following of God and the associated signs and wonders from this infilling of His Spirit occurred in Joshua through no altar call, no attendance at a mega-church or from any sermon from some high profile minister or Church program. Just a simple desire to follow God, in a quiet, environment with no distractions, just Joshua, the Sword of the Spirit (Bible) and the Spirit of God. Now I am not criticising the formal and established Church of this description by including those specific characteristics, but just to point out that God does not need this to empower one of His followers, it just takes a desire to know God deeper and surrender to Him.
It was such a joy to read how obedient Joshua was in carrying out the Spirit's commands. How many times do you hear of someone forgiving their abuser, or attacker while this crime is being perpetrated and to Bless them while this is occurring? Such were some of the commands and fruit of the Spirit that Joshua, Cary and his mother exhibited from allowing the Spirit to direct their paths. This is my favourite, Joshua is being attacked physically by bully Cary and not only does he not fight back but he actually blesses Cary,
Large hands seized around Joshua’s collar and rapidly twisted him face down to the pavement. Several students had gathered to watch the confrontation and were now rewarded with this one-sided melee.
"Bless your enemies."
Again, Joshua felt his cheek being minced into the pavement—the pain double what it’d been the previous day because of the existing abrasion. With his right hand that remained free, Joshua reached behind him to lay his hand upon his oppressor.
“What do you think you’re doing?” the aggressor asked as he swatted his hand down. But Joshua would not relent. He reached around quicker the second time.
“The Lord…bless you,” Joshua shouted with all his strength and through his pain.
Immediately, images flooded Joshua causing him to nearly forget his uncomfortable, pained position. A young boy, possibly seven, running through an untidy house, hardly dressed in any clothes. Shrilled shouts. A confrontation. A lady being shoved to the floor by a large man dressed in a black leather jacket. The boy begins to cry at what he sees. He runs over to her as if he can help her—to do something to stop her pain. But the lady barely pays attention to the child in her nigh-drunk stupor, and it is almost as if he does not exist in her world. When she does finally see him, she screams at him to get to bed. But the boy isn’t concerned with his sleep. How can he lay his own head down in peace when his own Mom cannot live without worries about what will happen to her each day?
Joshua had not known anything like this was going to happen…and even as this giant of a boy pressed him even harder against the pavement, Joshua spoke through his pain.
“He knows…what…you’ve gone through. He remembers…how lonely you felt when your Mother wouldn’t come home at night. It was Him who wanted to give you all the comfort in the world when you felt so scared for her, and for yourself, on so many nights.”
Joshua felt the sting of tears as he saw how empty and love-starved this boy truly had been and likely was even at that moment. “He loves you, Cary.”
Without warning, the boy released Joshua and stepped back as if electricity had passed through him. He looked at Joshua in stunned amazement. “How’d you know my name, and all that stuff you just said?” Joshua untwisted himself into a more comfortable position on the ground before giving the hint of a shrug. “I didn’t. God did,” he said. “And though you want to deny it, He is calling you to follow Him and know a love you’ve never experienced before.”
How many of us would behave like this while being beaten up? Truly, in this example, God directed Joshua's mind and behaviour and showed His power over the attacker's motives and those of the dark forces influencing him. And then later, Cary becomes a follower and spirit-filled believer in Jesus.
And how about the healing of Brad and praying for the dead to be resurrected? Again, Russell illustrates, that it is the spirit of God that does the healing from a simple command to anyone who is obedient to Him. How many times have we looked at someone's affliction and felt it is too big for the believer to pray for and not remember it is God that does this and our lack of faith or not being in tune with Him blocks His opportunity for healing? If only we could not be blinded by what we see with our physical eyes and see with the faith eyes that God gives us, then maybe we would be more useful vessels for His purposes and Glory? Again, Russell uses these examples to show what life in alignment with God is like.
The other aspect that challenged me and I am sure it is the same for the majority of people, Christian or not, is how much we do live in fear. Fear of what others think about us, fear of verbal or physical abuse, of offending someone, specifically for the Christian, fear of speaking out in His Name, proclaiming Him to be Lord, or giving a defence to why we believe what we do when others are ridiculing us, God and His Word? Joshua showed no such fear. I loved how he stood up to Cary and others and gave answers that his aggressors were not expecting. He challenged them with the power of God and His Spirit. He was not afraid or fearful as he knew God would not forsake him ever, especially in situations like this. And again, Joshua acted in faith and under the guidance of the Spirit. So many lessons to learn here.
Another aspect that impacted me, was the showing of listening to the Spirit when situations turn awry or when you know what the Spirit is saying and you struggle to obey and lean on your understanding or give into temptation. Such was evident in Joshua's attraction to Lydia, and being unequally yoked as instructed in 2 Corinthians 6:14,
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
and his subsequent temptation to follow his physical desires and those of Lydia. Again, Russell shows not just that what a struggle this is but the consequences of it and more importantly, what Joshua had to do to be restored to God, repent and ask forgiveness. I loved the many times, he would spend time alone with God in private, confessing his sin, his failing, being honest to God about his feelings and thoughts and asking God to not just forgive him but to enable him to be a better version of himself, less of him and more of God.
I have read the reviews of this novel and there is some concern that the depiction of Joshua being so very mature for his 14 years of age is somewhat unrealistic. I agree to a point. I have met some teenagers who appear like this due to their personality and how they pick up on adult behaviour and attitudes, life dynamics and then interpret it appropriately as if they were of an age where this reaction and attitude would be appropriate. I also consider that the effect of living and being obedient to the Spirit of God would also give you a greater understanding and knowledge of human dynamics and the spiritual world. I did consider that one way to solve this issue would be for Russell to revise the novel and set it with older teenagers such as in the 18-20 age group, them being at high school or university. Everything else in the novel could still remain as it is except for a few changes that would be necessary for adapting it for this older age group and setting.
I loved the spiritual warfare aspects of this novel. It is a bit different from other novels in that Joshua seems to be more concerned with living in the Spirit and being obedient to the Spirit than in any awareness of those dark forces acting to thwart his actions and his way of the Spirit and directly fighting back. It is very much along the lines of "the battle belongs to the Lord" where as long as we are doing all the right things by God and through Him, He will fight any attempt of this enemy. While this is true, it is not an unbiblical stance Russell has depicted here. Yes, the Bible instructs us in the tactics and methods of our enemy. We have been given His Spirit, His power, authority in His name, His victory over sin and death (what the Crucifixion of Jesus achieved here) to defeat and be victorious over them. We are actively encouraged to do so with many believer's testimonies of such both in the Bible and in reality in past centuries since then.
It was great having the behind the scenes narrative of what these demonic forces were up to, their reaction to Joshua and the Spirit's action and Presence, and their rules of engagement. Rather than depict them with more power over Joshua and those of the Jaded Heart gang, Russell, has them appropriately in fear and resentment of any representation of the Spirit, or Spirit-filled believer. This was very effective and is a welcome change to how other authors depict spiritual warfare in their novels. It irks me in the latter when the Christ-follower is empowered by the Spirit but when confronted by demonic forces, they linger too long, act helpless, allow themselves to be affected by these forces before they use the various defences of God, such as the Word of God, the authority of His Name, Prayer, and calling on His Name for assistance.
I could go on with lots of other spiritual and Biblical Truths and lessons for the Christian reader but that would make this review longer than it needs to be. Suffice to say that this novel is such a gem of spiritual warfare, the truth of the Gospel, witnessing and interceding for others, being humble and contrite towards God, confessing our failings and sin to others for support and spiritual encouragement, how to submit and be obedient to the Spirit of God.
I must make mention of Elliot's writing. It has been described as lyrical and I would totally agree. Such an example is the quote I have at the beginning of this review. Elliot has a very competent command of the English language and this leads to an easy flow reading this novel. No re-reading any section or not instantly understanding what he means. The ending is very different from the 2018 edition that I had bought. I hope Russell publishes this new edition very soon and it needs to be out there.
I chuckled when I read Epilogue One and the direct tie in with Prologue One. Love it when an author ties up all the loose ends.
This ending leaves an opening for the next book in this series. I pray Russell follows through with this one. I am also looking forward to the revised edition of Shiloh's Rising, and other works in progress.
I fully encourage any reader to consider reading this life-changing and spiritually challenging novel. You will not close it unchanged. The Spirit of God is in the fabric of this novel. It really is His novel.
I applaud Russell for being obedient to the Spirit of God in all the aspects of this novel. I must make mention of the fact that this novel also shows what a heart after God Russell has and an insight into the relationship he has with his Father. That is inspiring enough!
Highly Recommended.
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