School of Divinity

With the push for teacher accountability and the controversy concerning high-stakes testing, more teachers are looking for systematic ways to increase academic achievement. If the U.S. is to regain its global position as number 1 in the education arena, education policy must dictate that teachers integrate technology as a regular part of core instruction to improve academic achievement. This action research seeks to investigate methods to close the achievement gap and prove that gains are made by high risk students in reading using various technological tools in the classrooms.

Published in Euriditio Ardescens, volume 1, issue 2 (Spring/Summer 2014).  The issue of assurance or confidence in knowing about eternal life is a constant theme in 1 John.  John consistently emphasizes the reality of salvation as coming through only one source—the incarnate Jesus, God in the flesh.  This relationship with the incarnate God creates confidence in the life of the believer to the degree that he or she has a reasonable expectation that God will hear and respond to the believer’s prayers. In chapter 5:13-21, however, John seems to raise an issue with this view by discussing a situation in which believers should not pray for others—when those others have committed the “sin unto death.”  John’s exclusive gospel seems challenged here if John is asking believers to avoid praying for other believers who have committed the “sin unto death.” A consideration of the context of John’s brief epistle may yield clues to understanding this topic in a way that keeps confidence intact while challenging the attitudes and actions of the false teachers mentioned in 1 John.

With the rise of the internet and electronic communications, the world has witnessed a rise in so-called " on-line communities. " These on-line communities represent a loosely connected family of sorts where people interact with each other via electronic resources. As a result of these things, many Christian communities have attempted to build a " church community " in an on-line environment. Paul describes the church as a community in most of his letters, and in some letters he even describes the church as a body and a bride. The language Paul uses is very relational and almost physical. How would Paul respond to the move today to create on-line Christian communities? Paul would respond that the church that represents Christ is comprised of people who gather physically and by their worship and actions embody the Lord whom they serve. For Paul, the body and bride of Christ is more a physical reality than simply an on-line collection of disembodied electrons. Taking cues from Paul's letters (specifically but not limited to Romans and 1 Corinthians), a contrast will be built between on-line Christian communities and Paul's vision of the church as Christ embodied in life and action. The importance of physical contact, regular interaction, and actual (not virtual) community will describe the church as seen through Paul's eyes.

Worship of Jesus in Revelation Titles for Christ Conclusion-Overview of the Christology of Revelation Conclusion-Revelation 12 in Ught of John's Christology SELEerED BmLIOGRAPHY v 186 238 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Every research project produces its own story and arises from a distinct community. In many cases, that community quite literally grows as the project unfolds and as the story deepens. This work is certainly no exception, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank many of those who facilitated and encouraged the research involved herein. The idea for this study grew from a research paper presented to Dr. Robert B. Sloan as one of the requirements for a class on the book of Revelation. Dr. Sloan not only encouraged further research into the subject, he also agreed to serve on the dissertation committee even after accepting the extra responsibilities as President of Baylor University. I am genuinely pleased to show my gratitude to him at this time for his patience with me and his commitment to seeing this project to completion. Appreciation must also be expressed to the other members of my dissertation committee. Dr. Naymond Keathley not only served as de/acto frrst reader, but he also patiently guided me through the proper steps to completing the dissertation. Dr. Robert Baird generously consented to serve on the committee, and his help on the project is duly appreciated. I want to also thank Dr. William H. Bellinger and his very capable assistant, Clova Gibson, for keeping the faith on this project and seeing to it that I had the proper paper work and money to finish. A special note of gratitude is due to the Religion Department for providing financial aid and emotional support as this project unfolded. vi Concerning financial and emotional support, I would be remiss if I neglected my parents, Bobbie and Donna Percer. and my wife. Lisa Percer, who graciously sacrificed many times over to see me through this phase of my near interminable months of education. A special note of gratitude is also due to the staff and faculty of the Baylor University Libraries, who not only offered me gainful employment during my writing, but also offered their kind and efficient services in securing materials for research. In particular, Martha Edwards arid her coworkers in Access Services went out of their way to keep me from procuring overdue fines. The staff in the Interlibrary Loan office also worked diligently to obtain for me sometimes obscure and even out of print materials. Finally, my supervisors in the Catalog Department were quite generous in allowing time off to work on revisions and to prepare for the defense of my dissertation. To these and others of my colleagues in the Libraries I offer a sincere note of thanks. I am thankful also to the many "readers" and friends who offered their services and prayers for the completion of this project. To them lowe the sincere gratitude of friendship. I am especially grateful to Dr. Bill Lane, Brenda Lane, and Dr. Joe Trafton for the encouragement and critical expertise they lent to my project. Finally, to my wife, Lisa Dawn Percer, and to my daughter, Phoebe Elizabeth, lowe a debt of gratitude it will no doubt take a life time to repay. As a source of encouragement and as an editor, Lisa has no equal in all the world. Thank you for reminding me that God finishes what he starts, and so should we! vii DEDICATION