Introducing Wallace Bradford! Why The Name?

Father and son.

The Birth of a Man Child

Wallace Bradford Bontrager was born at exactly 5:58am, on Monday, July 16, 2018. He weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce, and measured 20 inches long.

Wallace, my firstborn son, a chunky little fellow, was a freedom fighter from day one with the vision to enter a brave new world. He expressed this longing for freedom by actively kicking and moving while still in the womb.

What’s Significant About a Name? 

Names are significant reminders to children of their calling, purpose, and character. Jacob lived up to his name as “deceiver,” till his name was changed to Israel, “the friend of God.” Manasseh means “forget,” and Ephraim means “fruitfulness.” Christ means “Messiah, the anointed one.” 

As Cassidy and I discussed name possibilities, we agreed that we wanted to choose a meaningful name that would inspire our child for the rest of his life. That’s why we chose William Wallace and William Bradford as models to set before our son.

Though neither man was perfect, both possessed specific character qualities that we hope to engrain deep with our son, Wallace Bradford. We pray that he will apply both the courage of William Wallace and the vision of William Bradford to these desperate times in which we live.

Quite muscular, just like Wallace.

The Courage of William Wallace

William Wallace was a man’s man. In a decisive historical moment in which most of the Scottish nobles cowered before the English tyrants, Wallace chose truth and freedom over personal comfort.

Scotland’s descent into slavery began after king Alexander’s horse rode over a cliff. Following Alexander’s death, the Scots ferociously debated over who was the rightful heir. Not agreeing, they turned to Edward I of England, a fatal mistake. Given one inch, Edward took a mile, soon overrunning all of Scotland.

Born on April 3, 1270, Wallace continued the legacy of his father, who had been slain by the English. Sometimes Wallace fought with others, and sometimes he fought alone.

Unknown to many today, Wallace was a Christian. His friend John Menteith treacherously betrayed Wallace to the English. Before being hanged, drawn, and quartered by the English on August 23, 1305, Wallace asked for his beloved Psalter to be read to him.

Wallace’s example and vision inspired countless Scots. One of those, Sir Robert the Bruce, finished the job Wallace had begun and eventually set Scotland free.

Life Lessons

First, the life of William Wallace teaches us that what is right is often not popular. Second, his life reminds us that we may not always see results within our lifetimes.

Third, Wallace’s life teaches us that we must battle by God’s strength. Last, his life teaches us that we should sacrifice for political and spiritual freedom. In his own words, “I tell ye true, liberty is the best of all things.”

First moments in his brave new world.

The Vision of William Bradford

Three-hundred years later, on March 19, 1590, in England, a visionary was born. In his book, Of Plymouth Plantation, William Bradford records the harrowing adventures the original Pilgrims underwent. His people, the Separatists, were persecuted for dissenting from the established Church of England.

Ultimately, the persecution led them to Holland, where they toiled for twelve years. Yet vision for the future led them to America. In Hollland the Pilgrims watched many of their young people being led away by corrupting friends, influences, and temptations.

“They cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good foundations, or at least of making some way towards it, for the propagation and advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in the remote parts of the world, even thought they should be but stepping stones to others…” (Of Plymouth Plantation).

After countless hardships and trials, a small band made it over to America in the Mayflower in 1620. Only half survived the first brutal winter. 

William Bradford and the Pilgrims’ legacy reveals the necessity of a long-term perspective of God’s kingdom. Like Bradford, we must ask, “How will my actions affect those who follow two, four, eight, ten, generations later? Proverbs says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Bradford had a vision of a people able to serve God by the dictates of their own conscience. He and the other pilgrims were willing to undergo hardships for the sake of their children. Their sacrifices and their document, The Mayflower Compact, paved the way for many of the freedoms we enjoy today.

As stated in the famous Mayflower Compact, they came to New England “For the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith.”

Back home with the family.

Heroes of Yesteryear Still Relevant Today 

Desperate times call for men with godly courage and vision. 

Like it was in Scotland in the times of Wallace, so in America our God-given liberties are slipping away. Today’s generation needs men of Bradford’s caliber who will look past the current crisis and the next election to see the potential of the next generation.

We do not expect Wallace Bradford to live a life of ease and comfort.

We do not care if he is famous, wealthy, or highly educated. We desire most that he would become born again, that he would raise a godly family of his own, and that he would live all of life to the glory of God.

We pray that Wallace will rise with manly courage and vision to face the challenges of our day. With the Bible and the Spirit as His sword, faith as his shield, righteousness as his breastplate, salvation as his helmet, the gospel as his shoes, and truth as his belt, we desire that he will fight the good fight for God’s kingdom. We pray that, like Nehemiah of old, he will see past the devastation to what can be if God’s Word is applied. 

“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” (Isaiah 58:12).

Wallace Bradford sleeping in the bed in my office while I finished this post and Mother took a much-needed rest.

For further study.

What Do We Really Know About William Wallace? 

What Do We Really Know About William Wallace? Part II

The Mayflower Compact

Of Plymouth Plantation 

Blind Harry’s Wallace

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