Peter's Rock in Mohammed's Flood, from St. Gregory the Great to St. Leo III (eBook)

Thomas William Allies (1813–1903) was an eminent English historical writer and theologian, recognized for his contributions to the understanding of Christian Church history and papal authority. Allies started his career firmly rooted within the Anglican Church but eventually converted to Roman Catholicism, a decision significantly influenced by the Oxford Movement, which sought to reintroduce Catholic thought and practices into Anglicanism. This change in religious conviction is reflected in his scholarly work, which often grapples with themes of ecclesiastical authority and tradition. One of Allies' notable works is 'Peter's Rock in Mohammed's Flood, from St. Gregory the Great to St. Leo III' which provides an examination of the papacy's endurance amid the rise of Islam and the sociopolitical tumult of early medieval Europe. In this study, Allies illustrates how the papacy, symbolized by St. Peter's proverbial rock, withstood the 'floods' of religious and secular challenges. His historical narrative weaves a tapestry of theological arguments with meticulous historical accounts, indicative of his literary style that often merged devout conviction with intellectual rigor. The book remains a rich resource for scholars interested in the historical intersections between Christianity and Islam as well as the development of the papacy. Allies' works contribute significantly to the 19th-century debate on the continuity and authority of the Church, and they continue to offer valuable insights to students of church history and ecumenism.