Zachęta do ucieczki podczas prześladowań (Mt 10, 23a) w interpretacji patrystycznej

The recommendation of escape during the persecution, given by Jesus in Matth 10:23, impelled the ancient commentators to deeper reflection. Apart from the realities of the Christian life threatened by persecution, the views of the mon­tanists rejecting the possibility of escape provoked discussion on this issue. The author of the paper has presented the thought of the Greek and Latin Fathers on this mentioned words of Jesus. The patristic reflection on Matth 10:23 points out, first of all, the reasons for fair act of fleeing. The sources allow us to enumerate the following reasons for fleeing a persecution: 1) a formal obedience to the rec­ommendation of Jesus; 2) the decree of Divine Providence dictating and allowing escape; 3) the attitude of Christ who himself has taken similar opportunity; 4) a respect for human weaknesses that can make someone for various reasons indis­posed to martyrdom; 5) a prudence ordering flee in expectation of higher losses than profits incurred by the remaining at home; 6) the trust in God providing a nat­ural way of rescue, without „forcing” Him to the extraordinary help; 7) an urgent missionary and pastoral ministry to perform; 8) to avoid provoking persecutor to evil by own presence; 9) a specific witness of renunciation and sacrifice by leav­ing own home and possession; 10) the escape understood in the spiritual sense is a secession from the evil and sin. Several authors stand out in the extent and the depth of reflexion about it: Origen, Tertullian, Jerome and Augustine. The authors of 4th Century and the later could be influenced by Cyprian of Carthage. Accused by his opponents, especially novatians, he justifies theologically the escape and validates it by the later attitude: as a carefull shepherd and fearless martyr.

Cropping systems for the Southern Great Plains of the United States as influenced by federal policy

The majority of cropland in the rain-fed region of the North Central District of Oklahoma in the US is seeded with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and most of it is in continuous wheat production. When annual crops are grown in monocultures, weed species and disease agents may become established and expensive to control. For many years prior to 1996, federal policy provided incentives for District producers to grow wheat and disincentives to diversify. In 1996, the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act (Freedom to Farm Act) was instituted, followed by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (FSRIA) in 2002. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of FAIR and FSRIA programs on crop diversity in the North Central District of Oklahoma. The economics of three systems, monoculture continuous winter wheat, continuous soybean (Glycine max) and a soybean–winter wheat–soybean rotation, were compared using cash market prices (CASH), CASH plus the effective loan deficiency payments (a yield-dependent subsidy) of the FAIR Act of 1996, and CASH plus the effective loan deficiency payments of the FSRIA of 2002. We found that the loan deficiency payment structure associated with FAIR provided a non-market incentive that favored soybean. However, under provisions of the 2002 FSRIA, the incentive for soybean was adjusted, resulting in greater expected returns for continuous wheat. Due to erratic weather, soybean may not be a good alternative for the region. Research is needed to identify crops that will fit in a rotation with wheat.

Landlord Satisfaction with Arkansas Agricultural Land Agreements

Landlord satisfaction levels with agricultural land-leasing agreements are examined with a 1998 sample of Arkansas landowners. Ordered probit models are estimated identifying which factors significantly affect satisfaction levels. Results indicate that the type of lease is not a significant determinant of landlord satisfaction levels. Proportion of landlord's income from leasing, tenant educational background, social capital variables, presence of irrigation equipment, and perceptions about the FAIR Act were found to significantly affect lease satisfaction in at least one of the three satisfaction models estimated. A comparison with an earlier study of Arkansas tenants indicates landlords have generally higher satisfaction levels.