The argument
The mark belongs to worship and image. Historically, trinitarian orthodoxy moved into baptismal identity, creeds, civil law, education, office, commerce, marriage, burial, and the category of Christian itself. The forehead becomes confession; the hand becomes participation.
Why it matters
A doctrine is not merely an idea when a civilization uses it to determine who may belong, teach, trade, govern, publish, or live in safety.
What this teaching does not claim
Present legal conditions differ by place and time. The thesis concerns the historical system at full strength and its enduring identity-boundary.
