The Early Church Fathers on the Scriptures: The Four Gospels [Ecumenical]

RC.net ^ | translated 1994 | Irenaeus

[Salvation]

The Early Church Fathers on the Scriptures

 
The Four Gospels
by Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 2nd century

             
There are four gospels and only four, neither more nor less: four like the points of the compass, four like the chief directions of the wind. The Church, spread all over the world, has in the gospels four pillars and four winds blowing wherever people live.

These four gospels are in actual fact one single Gospel,  a fourfold Gospel inspired by the one Spirit, a Gospel which has four aspects representing the work of the Son of God.

These aspects are like the four cherubs described by Ezekiel. In the prophet's words: `The first had the like ness of a lion,' symbolizing the masterly and kingly role of Christ in priesthood; `the second had the appearance of an ox,' the beast of sacrifice, recalling the perfect sacrifice of Christ; `the third had the face of a man,'  undoubtedly referring to the coming of the Lord in human nature; `and the fourth had the aspect of a flying eagle,' with a clear allusion to the grace of the Spirit hovering over the Church. [cf. Ezek. 1:10; Rev. 4:7]

The four Gospels correspond to these symbols. Christ is at the center of them.

John actually speaks of his kingly and glorious Sonship to the Father in his opening words: `In the beginning was the Word.' [John 1:1] Luke begins with Zaccharias offering sacrifice. Matthew chooses first of all the Lord's human genealogy. And Mark leads off by calling on the prophetic Spirit which invests humanity from on high.

(Translation by Thomas Spidlik, Drinking from the Hidden Fountain: A Patristic Breviary, Cistercian Publications, Kalamazoo, MI - Spencer, MASS, 1994) 

[Salvation]

“Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” 
Jerome, c. 347-420

[Salvation]

Guidelines for Ecumenical Threads

[Salvation]

Early Church Fathers and Scripture Ping!

[Salvation]

Who Wrote The Gospels? How Do We Know?
Space Crew With The Next Expedition Takes Gospels to ISS

Why So Few Gospels? Inquiring Muslims Want To Know!
Scavenging the Gospels
Radio Replies Second Volume - Gospels Historical
Bauckham: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony
WHO REALLY WROTE THE GOSPELS?
Testimony of the Evangelists - by Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853)
Radio Replies Volume One: Value of the Gospels
What Is Needed for a Bible Comeback (Part 2)
Gospel Authorship
Support for authenticity of book of Matthew comes from an unlikely place

[Salvation]

The Early Church Fathers on the Scriptures: The Four Gospels [Ecumenical]
The Early Church Fathers on the Scriptures: The Scriptures are one book in Christ [Ecumenical]
The Early Church Fathers on Scripture: The Nourishing Bread of Scripture [Ecumenical]
The Early Church Fathers on the Scriptures: Reading Scripture with the Early Church Fathers [Ecumenical]
Fathers of the Church
Abortion and the Early Church [Fathers] (Catholic & Orthodox Caucus)
Why do Catholics always talk about the Early Church Fathers (Apostolic Fathers)?[Ecumenical]
The Church Fathers' Marian Interpretation of the Old Testament (Catholic Caucus)
Writings of the Fathers of the Church
THE CHURCH FATHERS: A DOOR TO ROME (fundamentalist warns saying they sound too Catholic)

Were the Church Fathers Closer to Protestantism Than to Catholicism?
The Faith of Our Fathers
The Early Church Fathers on the Assumption [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Look to the Church Fathers to Shed Light on Modern Problems, Writes the Pope
Origen: The Privileged Path to Knowing God Is Love
On Origen of Alexandria: He Was a True Teacher (April 25, 2007)
St. Clement of Alexandria: One of the Great Promoters of Dialogue Between Faith and Reason (April 18, 2007)
St. Irenaeus of Lyons: The First Great Theologian of the Church (March 28, 2007)
Early Church Fathers - Worship on Sabbath or Sunday
St. Justin Martyr: He Considered Christianity the “True Philosophy” (March 21, 2007)

Truly a Doctor of Unity (St. Ignatius of Antioch) (March 14, 2007)
On St. Clement of Rome -The Church Has a Sacramental, Not Political Structure (March 7, 2007)
Quotes from the Early Church Fathers
The Early Church Fathers on Baptism - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Contraception - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Justification - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Mary’s Perpetual Virginity - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on the Immaculate Conception - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Confession / Reconciliation - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on The Real Presence - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus

The Early Church Fathers on Intercession of the Saints - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Hell - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on The Primacy of Peter/Rome (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
The Early Church Fathers on The Mother of God - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Mary’s Perpetual Virginity - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Salvation Outside the Church [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Early Church Fathers on Purgatory - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Apostolic Succession - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
Early Church Fathers on (Oral) Tradition - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on The Church (Catholic Caucus)
The Early Church Fathers

[johngrace]

These aspects are like the four cherubs described by Ezekiel. In the prophet's words: `The first had the like ness of a lion,' symbolizing the masterly and kingly role of Christ in priesthood; `the second had the appearance of an ox,' the beast of sacrifice, recalling the perfect sacrifice of Christ; `the third had the face of a man,' undoubtedly referring to the coming of the Lord in human nature; `and the fourth had the aspect of a flying eagle,' with a clear allusion to the grace of the Spirit hovering over the Church. [cf. Ezek. 1:10; Rev. 4:7]

The four Gospels correspond to these symbols. Christ is at the center of them.

[cf. Ezek. 1:10; Rev. 4:7]

The connection to the Old and New Testaments makes me more in awe of scripture. Thousands of years apart at times yet consistent to the main theme. I just looked it up on my own.

[Salvation]

I’ve also heard of the four evangelists being compared to the four creatures. I think it’s on one of the Gospel threads. I know that the Gospel of John, or rather, John is compared to the eagle.

[Salvation]

I’m surprised that you are asking that question. I’m pinging the Religion Moderator and Admin Moderator to explain to you how not to see it.

BTW, it is posted on the Religion Forum.

[Mr. Lucky]

Dude, grow up just a little.

[jmacusa]

Thank you and God bless all of you. Sorry, my computer was down for a couple of days.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Dude, eat my shorts.

[MarkBsnr]

Dude, eat my shorts.

I see that your level of wit remains unchanged.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

I see that your level of wit remains unchanged.

Thanx. I learned from the chief CINO. Good to see you again.

[MarkBsnr]

I see that your level of wit remains unchanged.

Thanx. I learned from the chief CINO. Good to see you again.

Happy to help. How have you been?

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Happy to help. How have you been?

Very well thanx. Just hoping for a football season.

[MarkBsnr]

Very well thanx. Just hoping for a football season.

http://www.afl.com.au/

You don't have a lot of fat men that run for five seconds and fall down and resume several minutes later. Repeat as required.

[Religion Moderator]

This thread was posted in the Religion Forum, it was not moved here.

If you do not wish to see RF posts, do NOT use the "everything" option on the browse. Instead, browse by "News/Activism." When you log back in, the browse will reset to "everything" - so be sure to set it back to "News/Activism."

Also, this RF thread is labeled "Ecumenical" meaning no antagonism is allowed on this thread.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Don’t be so judgemental