9/10/2011 7:15

School Nicknames

An alumnus of Wheaton College reminded me that the college's nickname was changed from the Crusadors to the Thunder. "Crusadors" was never a very happy choice, being rooted in some of the most apostasical events of Christian history. About the only thing in its favor might be that it is a word taken from some point in the Christian heritage. "Thunder", although an ear-catching phenomenon, has no particularly Christian ties. In actual reality school nicknames do a poor job in representing the personal and social values espoused by their institutions.

These reflections got me to wondering whether we couldn't do somewhat better than we have done at picking nicknames for our schools. As the population increases and the opportunity to found new institutions of education opens before us (never mind that all these new schools may be run over the internet in virtual reality) it seems this might be an opportune time to offer a few suggestions for Christians intending to found new institutions that are true to their religious heritage.

It may be difficult to imagine the Marion Moravian Meek conquering on the football field, but in the end they will inherit the entire earth. Elsewhere among newly founded Christian schools in our area we might find the Reedsville Reformed Repenters, the Freedom Faithful, the Mishicot MCC Metanoia, and the Chilton Charity, all named in consiliance with the core of their founding faith.

It will be interesting to see how their athletes fare in competition with the Neshota Nestorians or the Anston Arians.

Of course, there will certainly be new schools which are founded on a philosophy of religious inclusivism rather than denominationalism. I look forward to following the progress of the Allouez Alliterates.