BOOK REVIEW: THE AMG CONCISE BIBLE COMMENTARY, BY DON FLEMING.

Reviewed by Thomas Scarborough.

“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.

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”.

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.

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 (http://www.bridgeway.org.au).

WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF THE BOOK?

Don Fleming’s commentary shines from a number of points of view.

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.

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!

Thirdly, Fleming has an extraordinary talent for summarising historical events. The names, places, and plots of the Bible can be convoluted, particularly as a tired minister pores over his Sunday text! Fleming has the knack of parting the mists and bringing clarity to bear with a few simple sentences. Particularly impressive is his treatment of the history of the kings of Israel and Judah.

Fourthly, Fleming has the special ability to bring balance to bear on the text. It would seem all too easy for a commentator to go off on favourite tangents, as many do – and Fleming escapes this temptation. He tends to avoid potentially divisive aspects of passages by focussing on their core.

Occasionally he digresses in order to give some interesting background, such as a section on “Jeremiah’s Inner Conflicts” (Jeremiah 20), or “Apostles And Their Duties” (Acts 1).

WHAT ARE THE WEAKNESSES OF THE BOOK?

Bearing in mind the scope and purpose of this commentary, it is hard to fault it. Perhaps, though, there are two shortcomings.

Firstly, in his quest to simplify the meaning of the text, Fleming lets his imagination fill in a few blanks, with words such as “apparently” and “no doubt” – for example, “Cain was no doubt relieved” (Genesis 4:16). Such innocent speculations are reminiscent of Matthew Henry, who once commented concerning Noah, “We have reason to believe he was never drunk before nor since!”

Secondly, Fleming has a tendency to rationalise technical and scientific aspects of the Bible which perhaps cannot properly be explained. With regard to the Deluge, for instance, he comments that “as far as Noah was concerned, the flood was universal”. This tendency to accommodate popular understandings of science is not new. Recent editions of Matthew Henry needed to edit out some of his “anachronisms” and “imagination”.

This having been said, Fleming makes some interesting observations on science and the Bible, and it is clearly his intention to be faithful to the Bible text, as well as providing basic apologetic tools for practitioners.

A final weakness may also be regarded as a strength. Fleming uses a synoptic approach to the gospels. While on the one hand this makes for easy reading of the gospel story as a whole, on the other it makes the search for a passage awkward at times.

SYNTHESIS.

With only half the number of pages that the Bible itself contains, one needs to understand that this commentary has its limitations. Further, it would seem no surprise that a book which elucidates the Bible with only half as many pages as the Bible itself is a trick that could only originate in Australia! (Bridgeway Publications, Brisbane).

All in all, our generation has been greatly blessed to have among them one so richly gifted as Don Fleming. This is a commentary that brings both factual and spiritual clarity, it flows beautifully, and it has been greatly used by God. Not least, it may be an ideal gift to a teenager as “a first commentary for Bible study”, as it claims to be.

If I didn’t already have this book, I would certainly want to buy it.

CITATION OF REFERENCE.

Fleming, Don. The AMG Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1994. ISBN 0-89957-672-9.

Rev. Thomas Scarborough is the minister of an Evangelical Congregational Church in South Africa, which is situated in Africa’s most densely populated suburb. He is presently studying for an M.A. in Global Leadership through Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena.