Kansas Books

This outstanding book consists of 304 pages which include 188 illustrations (107 in color). It is the product of a dozen writers, five artists, and 27 of the best natural history photographers in Kansas. You can't go wrong with NATURAL KANSAS

This is the best philosophical analysis of authority I have been able to find (and I have read quite a few!). De George provides a number of useful categories for sorting through thorny issues regarding authority.

Yes, Environonomy is a real word because I made it up and you just read it. Isaac Asimov got away with introducing such new words as "robotics", and "positronic". I applaud all efforts in humans trying to learn to appreciate the environment as more than just a place to drive all terrain vehicles. How about test driving Kansas "in your head" with this book, whose fantastic pictures and environmental knowledge (I checked, and at least one of the authors knows about plant taxonomy) will give you a quick education about the land around you.

NATURE'S ARMY is a tremendously engaging history of the 19th century United States Army. The book depicts the Army's main activity as "nation building," a concept somewhat discredited in the 2000 presidential election. The local example of "nation building" found its most lasting impact in the protection the Army gave to the newly-developing national park system. In particular, Harvey Meyerson focuses on California's Yosemite Park, set aside in 1890 as a national park. But, any visitor to Yellowstone in Wyoming can still see the Army's presence where the National Park Service maintains many of the original fort facilities at the Park's north entrance headquarters. Meyerson's excellent book should be read by anyone interested in western American history, military history in general, and the development of the American national park system. Highly recommended by this reviewer. Just a thoroughly engaging book.

William M. Greathouse and George Lyons: Romans A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

The Epistle to the Romans has always been considered an central book of the NT cannon. It is the Apostle Paul's ambassadorial and theological letter to a church he did not establish and had not visited at the time. The Churches in Rome underwent a great upheaval, first in the expulsion of the Jews by Claudius and later by persecution against Christians by pagan Rome. Despite the problems facing these churches, their faith was renowned and Paul wished to visit to share with them his spiritual gifts, help spread the gospel and prepare for a mission to Spain.

Throughout the history of the Church, the theological material in Romans has been the stuff of dogma and controversy. From the early church fathers, through Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley and now modern scholars, the interpretation of Romans has been both rewarding and full of pitfalls. The dogmatic debates were central to the schism of the Christian Church and resulted in long-standing, less than graceful, polarity. Superimposed upon the basic doctrinal disagreements were the post-enlightenment liberalism of the 19th and early 20th century and the contributions and controversies surrounding historical, literary, linguistic and social criticism that continues to our day.

The global theological shift over many decades has been from Luther's simul Justus et peccator to the Wesleyan Christus victor. The former concentrated on the utter sinfulness of man (the first part of the great dialog between Paul and his imaginary Jewish debater) whereas the latter emphasizes Christ's total victory over sin and death as mortifying both once and for all (the second half of the debate). Both are true but focus on a different part of the salvation story. The true situation for Christians today, as well as in the early church period, can be found in the "now but not yet" dialectic in which believers are justified and being sanctified in this sinful world and in corrupt bodies and who are awaiting perfection in final glorification. The church as a corporate body of believers, likewise finds itself living this dialectic.

Modern critical scholarship has made important contributions to our understanding of Romans. Four are worth mentioning. These include 1) a better knowledge of Roman history and culture, especially the shame/honor basis of their society; 2) a better understanding of Jewish religion and culture, especially by the scholars E.P. Sanders (covenantal nomism), Bruce Chilton and Jacob Neusner, 3) A better understanding of Old Testament theology and exegesis which has shed new light on Paul's use of the OT in his letters which in turn has enlightened our understanding of Romans, and 4) contributions from extra-canonical literature of the inter-testamental period and first century A.C.E. which sheds light on contemporary Jewish thought in which Paul's "Jewish" theology and heritage was shaped.

What we have learned from these contributions is 1) that grace abounds in the OT and is the basis of Israel's Heilsgeschichte (Salvation history), 2) Israel's self understanding of its Heilsgeschichte and 3) the importance of both individual and corporate election, responsibility, and participation in the covenantal nomism of the Judaism(s) of the Second Temple period. All these have had a profound effect on recent Romans scholarship.

There are numerous works on Romans that span the genres of critical and exegetical commentaries, pastoral expositions, philosophical theology and individual dogmatic issues. Many are very technical and highlight in detail the entire debate whereas others are inspirational. It is within this milieu that a most welcome and important new commentary on Romans by William M. Greathouse and George Lyons has appeared. It is a two volume set that is most reasonably priced. The authors have achieved a remarkable synthesis of centuries of Romans scholarship, incorporated the best of what higher criticism has produced, and created a most readable, enjoyable, profound and informative commentary that can be read by laymen and scholars alike.

The book is broken down into sections based upon a natural reading of Paul's argumentation. Each section is divided into three parts: 1) Behind the Text, 2) In the Text and 3) From the Text. The first part gives an overview and background explanation of the section in question explaining clearly what Paul is about to say, the sitz in lieben, and issues surrounding Paul's purpose and chosen rhetoric. The second section is a verse by verse commentary. The text incorporates analysis of the Greek as well as providing for the reader the depth of meaning lying within the text that may be lost in some translations. The authors seamlessly incorporate their linguistic and exegetical expertise to bring the text to life. The technical issues are treated in such a way as to not detract from the interpretation but to enliven and enhance it. The third section places what the text teaches in the context of 1) classic theological issues such as doctrine, historical developments and controversies, 2) inter-textual interpretation of Paul's use of the OT and his approach on these issues in his other letters, 3) exploration of important contributions from archeology, history and culture and 4) significant contributions from other scholars and important church figures. There are also numerous side-bars examining important issues in depth.

As a whole, the commentary is written beautifully, reads extremely well and captures the entire spectrum of the huge corpus of literature in concise, well organized and understandable language. Rather than present all the technicalities and overburden the reader with the minute details of the controversies, the authors have gathered analyzed and interpreted this for us and present in a fair and balanced manner the current understanding of Romans scholars for all to appreciate and understand. A generous bibliography and excerpts from the writings of leading Romans scholars points the reader toward the sources used in creation of the text. By adopting this method, the focus is not on the academia surrounding each issue but a synthesis of the whole, how past and current scholarship has contributed to our understanding of the text and the theology therein. The authors have interpreted and represented these works accurately and brought to the fore their significance. In short, the authors transform the academic endeavors into a work that has true evangelical meaning.

I am impressed by several areas of the book. The general overview of Romans was so well written, concise and accurate as to awe inspiring. It was evidently written by a mature scholar who is intimate with the text on many levels. I also feel that the author's focus of Jewish culture, religion and contemporary thought in late antiquity reflects the current state of the art in this most difficult field of study. It gives insight into the mind of Paul by addressing the important questions of what shared beliefs and background Paul and his readers had in common. The focus on the theology of the OT as used in the NT is critical as Paul exegetes numerous OT passages, stringing them in sequence (a traditional Rabbinic and Jewish method) to make his points. A clear understanding of how Paul understood the OT is critical to understanding the text and his arguments. Finally, the authors bring to the fore a very important understanding of God's grace as represented in the OT and NT as being one grace that operates in His greater purpose in Heilsgeschichte. This, in addition to the inseparable self-understanding of Paul and his Jewish and Christian contemporaries of individual election within corporate election through grace and not merit (works/law) provides a sound basis for addressing the great issues of justification, foreknowledge, predestination, election, salvation, sanctification, sin, grace, etc.

Just as Adam is an individual and corporate head of fallen man, we are sinful because we sin and are part of a race under the bondage and dominion of sin. In Christ, as our individual and corporate head, we are liberated from the bondage and dominion of sin such that we need no longer sin and we are free, individually and corporately, to serve God. Sander's covenantal nomism, Neusner's corporate community of believers in Torah and Paul's community of believers in Christ all have in common that individual salvation occurs in the context of faithful membership in the corporate body which was created of God's will and manner of salvation. In Romans, God's desire in the Heilsgeschichte was the creation of a new community of faith, under the corporate head of Christ, with whom God has a true relationship of saints who are justified and sanctified made possible through the atoning sacrifice of the Cross. In the OT, this community was corporate Israel. In the NT, membership is open to all through faith and obedience.

Space does not permit a full examination of this commentary. It has so much to commend it. It is written intimately such as the reader may imagine himself examining Romans sitting at the table with his teacher and guide.

This spirit-inspired yet scholarly work was written not by men who desire to master the text through external examination but by prayerful scholars who have submitted to the text as the Word of God (= Son of God per Barth) and speak to the reader through words and the instruction of the Holy Spirit. It is a work of both great value and beauty.

It is a work of both great value and beauty. I highly recommend it and have already made it a gift to ones I care for in the Lord.

William M. Greathouse and George Lyons: Romans A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

The Epistle to the Romans has always been considered an central book of the NT cannon. It is the Apostle Paul's ambassadorial and theological letter to a church he did not establish and had not visited at the time. The Churches in Rome underwent a great upheaval, first in the expulsion of the Jews by Claudius and later by persecution against Christians by pagan Rome. Despite the problems facing these churches, their faith was renowned and Paul wished to visit to share with them his spiritual gifts, help spread the gospel and prepare for a mission to Spain.

Throughout the history of the Church, the theological material in Romans has been the stuff of dogma and controversy. From the early church fathers, through Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley and now modern scholars, the interpretation of Romans has been both rewarding and full of pitfalls. The dogmatic debates were central to the schism of the Christian Church and resulted in long-standing, less than graceful, polarity. Superimposed upon the basic doctrinal disagreements were the post-enlightenment liberalism of the 19th and early 20th century and the contributions and controversies surrounding historical, literary, linguistic and social criticism that continues to our day.

The global theological shift over many decades has been from Luther's simul Justus et peccator to the Wesleyan Christus victor. The former concentrated on the utter sinfulness of man (the first part of the great dialog between Paul and his imaginary Jewish debater) whereas the latter emphasizes Christ's total victory over sin and death as mortifying both once and for all (the second half of the debate). Both are true but focus on a different part of the salvation story. The true situation for Christians today, as well as in the early church period, can be found in the "now but not yet" dialectic in which believers are justified and being sanctified in this sinful world and in corrupt bodies and who are awaiting perfection in final glorification. The church as a corporate body of believers, likewise finds itself living this dialectic.

Modern critical scholarship has made important contributions to our understanding of Romans. Four are worth mentioning. These include 1) a better knowledge of Roman history and culture, especially the shame/honor basis of their society; 2) a better understanding of Jewish religion and culture, especially by the scholars E.P. Sanders (covenantal nomism), Bruce Chilton and Jacob Neusner, 3) A better understanding of Old Testament theology and exegesis which has shed new light on Paul's use of the OT in his letters which in turn has enlightened our understanding of Romans, and 4) contributions from extra-canonical literature of the inter-testamental period and first century A.C.E. which sheds light on contemporary Jewish thought in which Paul's "Jewish" theology and heritage was shaped.

What we have learned from these contributions is 1) that grace abounds in the OT and is the basis of Israel's Heilsgeschichte (Salvation history), 2) Israel's self understanding of its Heilsgeschichte and 3) the importance of both individual and corporate election, responsibility, and participation in the covenantal nomism of the Judaism(s) of the Second Temple period. All these have had a profound effect on recent Romans scholarship.

There are numerous works on Romans that span the genres of critical and exegetical commentaries, pastoral expositions, philosophical theology and individual dogmatic issues. Many are very technical and highlight in detail the entire debate whereas others are inspirational. It is within this milieu that a most welcome and important new commentary on Romans by William M. Greathouse and George Lyons has appeared. It is a two volume set that is most reasonably priced. The authors have achieved a remarkable synthesis of centuries of Romans scholarship, incorporated the best of what higher criticism has produced, and created a most readable, enjoyable, profound and informative commentary that can be read by laymen and scholars alike.

The book is broken down into sections based upon a natural reading of Paul's argumentation. Each section is divided into three parts: 1) Behind the Text, 2) In the Text and 3) From the Text. The first part gives an overview and background explanation of the section in question explaining clearly what Paul is about to say, the sitz in lieben, and issues surrounding Paul's purpose and chosen rhetoric. The second section is a verse by verse commentary. The text incorporates analysis of the Greek as well as providing for the reader the depth of meaning lying within the text that may be lost in some translations. The authors seamlessly incorporate their linguistic and exegetical expertise to bring the text to life. The technical issues are treated in such a way as to not detract from the interpretation but to enliven and enhance it. The third section places what the text teaches in the context of 1) classic theological issues such as doctrine, historical developments and controversies, 2) inter-textual interpretation of Paul's use of the OT and his approach on these issues in his other letters, 3) exploration of important contributions from archeology, history and culture and 4) significant contributions from other scholars and important church figures. There are also numerous side-bars examining important issues in depth.

As a whole, the commentary is written beautifully, reads extremely well and captures the entire spectrum of the huge corpus of literature in concise, well organized and understandable language. Rather than present all the technicalities and overburden the reader with the minute details of the controversies, the authors have gathered analyzed and interpreted this for us and present in a fair and balanced manner the current understanding of Romans scholars for all to appreciate and understand. A generous bibliography and excerpts from the writings of leading Romans scholars points the reader toward the sources used in creation of the text. By adopting this method, the focus is not on the academia surrounding each issue but a synthesis of the whole, how past and current scholarship has contributed to our understanding of the text and the theology therein. The authors have interpreted and represented these works accurately and brought to the fore their significance. In short, the authors transform the academic endeavors into a work that has true evangelical meaning.

I am impressed by several areas of the book. The general overview of Romans was so well written, concise and accurate as to awe inspiring. It was evidently written by a mature scholar who is intimate with the text on many levels. I also feel that the author's focus of Jewish culture, religion and contemporary thought in late antiquity reflects the current state of the art in this most difficult field of study. It gives insight into the mind of Paul by addressing the important questions of what shared beliefs and background Paul and his readers had in common. The focus on the theology of the OT as used in the NT is critical as Paul exegetes numerous OT passages, stringing them in sequence (a traditional Rabbinic and Jewish method) to make his points. A clear understanding of how Paul understood the OT is critical to understanding the text and his arguments. Finally, the authors bring to the fore a very important understanding of God's grace as represented in the OT and NT as being one grace that operates in His greater purpose in Heilsgeschichte. This, in addition to the inseparable self-understanding of Paul and his Jewish and Christian contemporaries of individual election within corporate election through grace and not merit (works/law) provides a sound basis for addressing the great issues of justification, foreknowledge, predestination, election, salvation, sanctification, sin, grace, etc.

Just as Adam is an individual and corporate head of fallen man, we are sinful because we sin and are part of a race under the bondage and dominion of sin. In Christ, as our individual and corporate head, we are liberated from the bondage and dominion of sin such that we need no longer sin and we are free, individually and corporately, to serve God. Sander's covenantal nomism, Neusner's corporate community of believers in Torah and Paul's community of believers in Christ all have in common that individual salvation occurs in the context of faithful membership in the corporate body which was created of God's will and manner of salvation. In Romans, God's desire in the Heilsgeschichte was the creation of a new community of faith, under the corporate head of Christ, with whom God has a true relationship of saints who are justified and sanctified made possible through the atoning sacrifice of the Cross. In the OT, this community was corporate Israel. In the NT, membership is open to all through faith and obedience.

Space does not permit a full examination of this commentary. It has so much to commend it. It is written intimately such as the reader may imagine himself examining Romans sitting at the table with his teacher and guide.

This spirit-inspired yet scholarly work was written not by men who desire to master the text through external examination but by prayerful scholars who have submitted to the text as the Word of God (= Son of God per Barth) and speak to the reader through words and the instruction of the Holy Spirit. It is a work of both great value and beauty.

I highly recommend it and have already made it a gift to ones I care for in the Lord.

Required for course background, which is why I bought it, but it is excellent.

I am now a happy man. Finally somebody has recognized the critical role state governments play in American health care. Too often researchers are drawn to the federal role, missing the powerful and quickly changing role of states in the development, financing, and delivery of health programs.

This is a compelling, insightful discussion of the evolving role of states in American health policy. It also successfully deals with the tremendous variation in the health policy approaches of states and the variation in their respective capacities for change.

To be honest, as a former state Medicaid director and state health commissioner, I have found few academics who understand state government. However, these authors for the most part grasp the complex nature of health politics and policy in the states. They should be congratulated for their insight.

This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what life was and is like on the unforgiving Great Plains. Although this book focuses on Western Kansas, it provides a vivid picture of the hopes and dreams of those who populated the Great Plains between 1890-1940.
Being a fifth generation resident of Western Kansas, this book gives me a startling view of what challenges my ancestors went through, and makes me proud that we have survived to this day in "Next Year Country."
Craig Miner's personal connection to Western Kansas makes this book especially poignant, and his attention to detail is vast.
Most importantly, the book causes one to ponder the future of the Great Plains as a whole, and gives one hope that our forbearers survived obstacles much greater than we face today.

No Other Place is the third book in Irene Bennett Brown's Women of Paragon Springs series. Aurelia Symington, who was born to the comforts of the South,is widowed, penniless and left with small children. She survives a bleak journey to Kansas only to be quickly abandoned by her brother-in-law after she arrives at his desolate homestead appealing for help. In the first book, Long Road Turning, Aurelia was befriended by the compassionate women of Paragon Springs, who all too well understood the rigors of life at the survival level. Aurelia's yearning for safe places, safe people and her aversion to loss nearly undermines her chances of lasting romance. However, as the series develops, against all odds, she not only overcomes her fear of taking risks with people, she accepts the burdensome but exhilarating position as president of the town company. With this book, the reader of this fascinating series begins to understand the breadth and depth of Brown's research. No Other Place with its lively depiction of town-building is energized by the struggle to bring civilization to the prairie. This volume also details little known aspects of the bloody county seat fights that plagued Kansas and the underhanded tactics used to attract the all-important railroads. Her depiction of the constant struggle of Kansans to cope with extreme weather is superb. As we have come to expect from this first-rate author, Brown's skillful portrayal of women's issues under-girds all the action.