In his book, A Diary of Private Prayer, John Baille wrote, “I thank Thee that this Christian way whereon I walk is no untried or uncharted road, but a road beaten hard by the footsteps of saints, apostles, prophets, and martyrs.  I thank Thee for the sign posts and danger signals with which this way is marked at every turn.”

While the Christian tradition is not co-equal with the revelation of Scripture, I have found quotes like this one necessary in reminding me of how valuable the confirmation of history is.  We sometimes act as if the only two realities in Christianity are “the Bible” and “now,” forgetting the twenty centuries that happened in between.  Tradition says, “You are not the first person to ask these questions, face these temptations, have these problems, or receive these blessings.”  Tradition reminds us that we are stepping into a stream that was flowing before we were born, and will be flowing after we’re dead.  We never invent the Gospel; we only inherit it.