Don Fleming (1)

Don Fleming has written a number of books in simplified English, principally aimed to assist people in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and South America who may lack formal education or not speak English as their first language. These books include Bible commentaries and a Bible dictionary and aim to increase understanding of the Bible and impart simple exegetical skills in the above regions of the world. Fleming's work is probably more well-known around the world than his entry in LibraryThing would suggest. I suppose the average pastor in Zambia probably doesn't have a LT account!

This book is a collection of letters received from recipients of his books aroud the world. These people range from Christian book sellers to Bible college teachers, pastors and evangelists, and lay Christians hungry to understand the Bible and their faith. Although Fleming is from a Christian Brethren background, the letter writers embrace a number of denominations, even Roman Catholics. Bridgeway, the Australian-based organisation that publishes and sends out Fleming's books, provides much of its material either discounted or free, depending on need and ability to pay. Many of the letters, therefore, express extreme (and, to a Westerner, at times embarassing) gratitude. It is, however, surprising to see people with so little so eager to pray for Fleming and his family and for Australian Christians who fund his work.

Fleming's style as narrator and editor is matter-of-fact, and this may alientate some readers. It becomes clear throughout the book that Fleming is committed to his ministry and to the people who write to him. A more sensitive soul would probably not be as effective, especially as, in the course of Bible teaching tours, he often visits the kind of people and places in this book.

What shines through in the letters is the commitment of Christians in the "Two-Thirds World" to their faith, to Scripture, and to their God. To read these letters is to realise that these people have so very little (a couple of Bibles and one of Fleming's Bible dictionaries, say, between a number of churches). I am embrassed when I look over my LT account at the number of books I own. There is indeed a gulf separating my affluent world from theirs, across which this book may act as a bridge.… (lisätietoja)