The Dutch Reformed Beefcake of Grand Rapids

I've heard about Grand Rapids, Michigan throughout my life because it's the home of Eerdmans, a major publisher of scholarly religious books, and the ultra-Calvinist Dutch Reformed Church.  (Now just the Reformed Church, although many congregations have "Dutch" or "Netherlands" in their names).

Reformed boys in Grand Rapids are like Mormon boys in Salt Lake City, or Nazarene boys in Rock Island: button-down, Bible-carrying, fake-smiling, with a wild side.














The most interesting church in town is actually St. Mark's Episcopal, which has miniature churches on its towers.

There are four colleges in town, including the ultra-fundamentalist Calvin College and Seminary.  Dutch Reformed, of course.











Not surprisingly, they have wrestling, but not swimming.





For swimming, you have to visit one of the four public high schools in town.













Grand Rapids also has a professional ballet company.














Which, of course, performs The Nutcracker every year.


















The National Physique Committee holds a bodybuilding competition in Grand Rapids every year. 

Lapsed Dutch Reformed bodybuilders?  Sounds like fun.