Eagle, In Christian Symbolism
St. Gregory considered this bird to typify the contemplative life; other fathers regarded it as an emblem of resurrection (Ps 103:5). It is the symbol of St. John the Evangelist, as it soars up to heaven and the sun; and he dwells in his Gospel and the Revelations specially on the divine discourses and the celestial glory of the Sun of Righteousness. It also represented the regeneration of the neophyte; the resurrection of the Saviour (says St. Ambrose); and renewing of the soul on earth, as glory hereafter will renew body and soul; the power of grace when it is portrayed drinking at a chalice, or in combat with a serpent, the type of evil.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More