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"Inkonomics": Ink and Economics, The Emerging Business Model of the Tattoo Studio

Over decades, the tattoo industry has evolved from an informal creative trade, servicing smaller groups or gang-affiliated groups, into micro-enterprises that make up the majority of body modification service providers. Once limited to 'underground' studios or gang controlled communities, tattooing is now a very popular art form, with business Fortune Insights valuing the industry at $1.89 billion in 2022, around $2.04 billion in 2023, and a projected value of $3.93 billion by 2030; with a compound annual growth rate of approx. 9.87%. Unlike other industries, there is no regulatory board that the tattoo industry and its service providers report to. So statistics are limited, and the information that follows is a representation of my experience and observation of the industry; in Durban South Africa. Globally considered, a major shift in the industry, is that tattoo artist are not just body modification artist but; entrepreneurs, brand strategists and influencers. We will exp...
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"Reformed" Baptists Follow Trends, Not Truth: Evaluating Reformed VS Baptist Theology comments

By comments I mean, I am using Reddit forums and responses to Reddit questions as a source of criticism, and will explicitly state when I use Quora sources if I do. The reason I chose Reddit and online threads, as sources of criticism, is due to the more honest, and less commercial treatment of theological/historical topics. By 'honest and less commercial' my implication is that popular authors, publishers and forums (Ligonier, Grace2You, for example), tend to attempt to unify Reformed thought for the sake of "Christian-pietistic" unity, instead of thoroughly trying to systematize Protestant History.  With Reddit and online forums like Puritan Board being a great source due to their contributors being very well read in primary sources and are more likely to be honest, and sometimes really harsh. I've just had more luck dealing with these people (instead of actual university graduates), because they have the time and ambition to interact with the primary sources in...
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Baptist on identifying as Reformed. Does it depend on Baptism?

There is an unfair method of historical and theological systematization used by Baptist, to devalue Reformed sacaramentology; For the purpose of identifying as Reformed. There is simply no reason for any Baptist to want to be considered 'reformed'. Baptist were historical enemies of the Reformed (as seen explicitly in the literature), and the theological and ethical differences are not small. Typically, an easier way to demonstrate difference between the 2 schools was an appeal to infant baptism; due it's federal principals and relation to other theological loci and ecclesial points (the systematic method of grouping and handling doctrine like this is commented on by Shedd, a presbyterian, and seen in the temporal context of the reformation by Gerhard; particularly on the outset of commenting on new theological loci). The typical Baptist rebuttal is not to attempt to address the blatant denouncement, but to reduce the Reformed argument to mean that Infant Baptism is the s...
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Are Baptist Reformed...Or Liberals?

 The assertion that Particular Baptist are close to the Reformed camp is absurd; Considering the assertion is made to create bridges between the Presbyterian and Baptist camps. It is like saying Zwinglians are close to the Lutherans because they came out the protestant reformation. This type of assertion only stands when there are two variables compared; but with respect to the broader protestant movement, we see how distant Baptist are from the rest of the more conservative protestants (Lutherans, Presbyterians and Anglicans). Turretins proceeding statement stands as a significant commentary on Infant Baptism but also the current situation; "Augustine, often, where he relates that the Pelagians had not dared to deny the baptism of infants because they saw too clearly that this would place them in opposition to the whole church" Institutio .3.12.7. The quote demonstrates the axiomatic status of infant baptism in the Christian Church's mind, amongst Augustines contemporari...
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Ecclesial Group VS Denomination VS Christian Types?

In contemporary thought, the use of the word's "Denomination" and "Type of Christian" can be used and often conflated. Unfortunately the word 'denomination' is equivocated to carry some sense of spiritual persuasion in a believer, when actually, it relates to a political-theological persuasion (that's not to say there isn't any ethical categorisation such as the adherences to the Real Presence, Infant Baptism, etc..).  The phrase "type of Christian" also causes linguistical chaos, and could lead others (especially non-Christians and laity) to think of Christendom as a segregated religion. When in reality the categorisation of what people mean by "type of Christian" (Baptist, Presbyterian, etc..) refers to their Ecclesiology, NOT denominational adherence.  What are the proper terms and definitions then? Ecclesiology, refers to the body of Ecclesial doctrines someone believes. These are notions related to their "Doctrine of...
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What Could The Gospel Be?

  The Gospel as an epistemic artifact (or a body of doctrine/s) can only be 1 of 3 things Considering the Gospel is treated as a "Believe this to be saved" 'thing', this topic warrants some commenting. -First, the Gospel could be the knowledge of the Covenant of Redemption, as this would be principial to Christian soteriology and trinitarianism. This understanding is the most simple of the 3. -Second, it could be the entire Christian Religion and all its doctrines. Rendering all biblical and systematic doctrines necessary to be saved. This understanding is the most questionable considering most lay couldn't articulate most doctrines, and all educated theologians would still disagree on secondary/tertiary points, so as to make Zwingli a heretic in the eyes of Calvin or Calvin a heretic in the eyes of Turretin...This does seem to be an unreasonable construction. -Third, is the interpretive category in which Christians must formulate and systematise what really does...
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Jesus is NOT the Foundation of Our Election?! An Evaluation of Turretin

 In this short article (I will try to keep it as brief as possible), we will evaluate Turretins doctrine of Election; in light of Robert Letham's criticism in his "Systematic Theology, 14.1.3, Election in Christ".  Letham's excerpt provides the context of the proceeding article: "Election in Christ merits additional emphasis in that it has often been overlooked. Calvin and Zanchius taught it vividly. So too did Thomas Goodwin later. All God’s blessings are received in union with Christ, from before creation. Election must therefore be seen foremost as in Christ from eternity. This is far removed from a cold, abstract display of logic. It is not present in Turretin, whose construction of election in Christ raises questions over his Christology. He was reacting against Arminius, for whom Christ was the foundation of election on which basis God elected individuals whom he foresaw would believe, and against Amyraut, who asserted that the merits of Christ were the fou...
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