Publisher's Synopsis
The Petrine Claims: A Critical Inquiry, written by Richard Frederick Littledale in 1889, is a scholarly examination of the historical and theological basis for the claim that the Bishop of Rome is the supreme authority in the Christian Church. Littledale, an Anglican priest and scholar, delves into the origins of the Petrine claims, tracing their development from the early Church through the Middle Ages and into the modern era. He examines the Biblical evidence for the primacy of Peter and the role of the Bishop of Rome in the early Church, as well as the historical and political factors that contributed to the growth of papal power over the centuries. Littledale's analysis is rigorous and thorough, drawing on a wide range of sources and offering detailed arguments and counterarguments for each point. Ultimately, he concludes that the Petrine claims are not supported by the evidence, and that the Bishop of Rome's authority should be understood in a more limited and contextualized way. The Petrine Claims: A Critical Inquiry is an important work of scholarship that continues to be relevant to discussions of the role of the papacy in the Christian Church.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
