Christians have historically sought to understand the advent and rapid spread of Islam. The ability of a relatively unknown group to become a great empire has perplexed many. However, upon close examination the sudden acceptance of Islam can been seen when viewed in the light of the Christological controversies existing in Byzantium at that time. Utilizing 7th century documentation from Orthodox theologian Maximus the Confessor and the patriarch Sophronius of Jerusalem, historians have been able to see the strong influences of the Monophysites and their belief in Christ possessing only a single nature. The theological differences between the single nature Monophysites and the dual nature Dyophysites had caused great controversies and some to
