Some deep similarities in Alois Grillmeier and Joseph Ratzinger's Christological approach to the concept of the person

Abstract

In his work Gesù il Cristo Alois Grillmeier cites a speech by Joseph Ratzinger entitled: Il significato di persona nella teologia. Both authors present the same analysis of the Christological concept of person used at the Council of Chalcedon, whose defining characteristic is its distinction from nature in defence of the humanum of Christ. Analysing their other works, it becomes clear that Grillmeier and Ratzinger use this Christological concept of person to develop a contemporary anthropology. A comparative and analytical-critical method was applied to the publications of both authors in order to create a synthesis of common elements concerning the hermeneutics of Chalcedonian concept of person and the anthropological conclusions derived from it. The aim of the article is to demonstrate some of the intellectual affinities between Grillmeier and Ratzinger on this topic.