In Ridley Scott’s 2005 film called the Kingdom of Heaven, the crusader hero of the story, Balian of Ibelin,  is engulfed in violence in his defence of the city of Jerusalem. Such portrayals reveal how far removed from Christ’s kingdom is the understanding of men.

The great pivot point of this misunderstanding is how we understand the conquest of Canaan by Joshua and the Israelites. How do the words of Jesus “My kingdom is not of this world, if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight” harmonise with Joshua’s violent slaughter of men, women, and children on such a large scale?

As we look into the character of God in the book of Joshua, what do we see? Do we see Jesus and His gentle, loving, healing ministry or do we see a God who advances the interests of His people by the slaughter of the infants of His enemies?

This book challenges Millennia of understanding in pursuit of the God of Jesus whose kingdom was not of this world, but of the peaceful world to come.