The four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are believed to have authored the Gospels, and are represented by animal figures in Christian iconography. They spread Christianity and their true identities are debated.
The four evangelists are the alleged authors of the Gospels, the sections of the New Testament dealing with the life and works of Christ. These Gospels were written anonymously around the time of Christ, with Christians later attributing their authorship to Matthew the Evangelist, Mark the Evangelist, Luke the Evangelist, and John the Evangelist. These four men are known as “evangelists” because they spread the word of Christianity around the world through their works and the Gospels, referring to the Greek word for “spreader of good tidings.”
Matthew the Evangelist is believed to have been one of the 12 Apostles related to Jesus Christ, and is recognized as a Saint, as are the other evangelists. In Christian iconography, Matthew is often represented as a winged man, who some people mistakenly believe is an angel. The winged man represents humanity and reason. John the Evangelist was also an apostle, traditionally represented by the figure of an eagle, referring to the complex theology that appears in the Gospel of John.
Mark and Luke are known as “apostolic men,” meaning they followed the apostles of Christ. Mark is traditionally represented with a winged lion for courage, while Luke is represented with a winged ox, representing strength, service and sacrifice. The four creatures associated with the four evangelists often appear together in the form of a tetramorph, an arrangement of creatures divided into quarters by a cross.
The iconography of the four evangelists is quite interesting, and also very complex. In addition to representing the evangelists themselves, the animal figures also represent Christian virtues, traits that should appear in all devout Christians, as well as referencing the nature of Christ himself. They also refer to the “living creatures” found in the Book of Ezekiel.
For Christians, the four evangelists are obviously important figures because they helped to spread Christianity. They frequently appear in Christian artwork, often accompanied by the animal figures that represent them, and in some Christian communities celebrations are held on their saints’ days to recognize their contribution to the Christian faith.
Of course, there is some controversy over the true identity of the Gospel authors and whether the four evangelists are who they are believed to be. It is possible that the Gospels were written by other people or by a collective.
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