Ratzinger, Romanticism, and Revelation in History

Christopher Grodecki, SJ, traces a dialogue between F. A. Staudenmaier and Joseph Ratzinger on the theology of history. Both affirm Christ as the center of historical unfolding and reject philosophies that subordinate revelation to human reason or ideology. Staudenmaier distinguishes natural and mediated revelation, while Ratzinger emphasizes a dialogical encounter of the Logos with human freedom through history, the Church, and the sacraments, showing the ongoing, relational presence of God shaping human history toward salvation.