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<P><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">From:</FONT></B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">owner-meeting@kent.net on behalf of Des Baird[SMTP:DESDOR65@BIGPOND.NET.AU]
<BR></FONT><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Sent:</FONT></B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Tuesday, April 26, 2005 1:49:44 AM
<BR></FONT><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">To:</FONT></B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">meeting@kent.net
<BR></FONT><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Subject:</FONT></B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">meeting: Meeting: Basic Christianity Books
<BR></FONT><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Auto forwarded by a Rule</FONT></B></P>
<BR>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bro Ted,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>An Assembly commended worker (Missionary) Don
Fleming of Bridgeway Publications, may have the very thing you are looking
for, worth sending him an email at..</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><A
href="mailto:donfleming@bridgeway.org.au">donfleming@bridgeway.org.au</A></FONT></DIV><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2></FONT>
<DIV><BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>Following is a review for your
perusal..</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Des</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=textArticleDetail>BOOK REVIEW: THE AMG CONCISE BIBLE
COMMENTARY, BY DON FLEMING.
<P></P>
<P>Reviewed by Thomas Scarborough.</P>
<P></P>
<P>"Lucid" is the word that springs to mind to describe this one-volume Bible
commentary. I have several single-volume commentaries, and this is one of my
favourites.</P>
<P></P>
<P>The AMG Concise Bible Commentary (or The Bridge Bible Commentary, as it is
alternatively titled) originated in the Thai language. It was written
particularly with ease of understanding in mind, in a mission situation. Above
all, in Fleming's own words, it seeks simply to "let the Bible speak for
itself".</P>
<P></P>
<P>The commentary is complemented with a few simple maps (e.g. Palestine in New
Testament times), charts (e.g. David's family and relatives), and brief
introductions to each of the books of the Bible - typically a page each.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Today it is published in English, Burmese, Hindi, Malayalam, and Swahili, and
is further available as a series of handbooks in Kisanga, Telugu, and Thai. It
would be worth mentioning that it is possible to sponsor a "Christian Workers
Kit" which includes this commentary, through Bridgeway Publications (<A
href="http://www.bridgeway.org.au/">http://www.bridgeway.org.au</A>).</P>
<P></P>
<P>WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF THE BOOK?</P>
<P></P>
<P>Don Fleming's commentary shines from a number of points of view.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Firstly, it has spiritual clarity. He has an impressive ability to cut
through the complexity of a Bible passage, and to touch its spiritual core. I
frequently reach for Fleming's commentary when I am unable to see through a
passage, and need spiritual insight. While the commentary has little to add to
others on detail, in this department there may at times be none to equal it. On
this point alone I would warmly recommend it.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Secondly, Fleming has an extraordinary ability to summarise the spiritual
truth contained in a passage. As an example, Ezekiel 24:1-5 (The Cooking Pot) is
a passage filled with symbolism and metaphor, and requires careful reading to
understand. Fleming sums it up in a single sentence: "The people of Jerusalem
(the meat in the pot) are going to be cooked alive by the besieging armies of
Babylon." As one turns one's attention back to the Bible text, all has become
clear!</P>
<P></P>
<P>
<P></P>
<P></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></P><FONT face=Arial size=2>For complete
review click <FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Shortcut to: </FONT><A
href="http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/14419.htm"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/14419.htm</FONT></A><BR></FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>