Das Mittelalter: Modell für eine neue Christenheit? Nikolaj A. Berdjaev und die Wirkung seiner Forschung bis ins 2. Vatikanische Konzil

Zamagni Gianmaria

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the Russian Philosopher Nikolaj A. Berdjaev’s main works during his time in Berlin from 1922 to 1924. Different editions, translations and articles of Berdjaev’s researches were examined in order to understand his conception of personalism and the human being as made in the image of God. Particular attention was paid to the essays of Berdjaev that were later collected as a book called „Das neue Mittelalter“. International literature from scholars who have written about Berdjaev was consulted in order to form an objective assessment of his theories and expose his central idea of the person being free also in matters of faith as created in the image of God. As a conclusion, this paper indicates that his concepts and ideas can be found and seen later on in the Declaration Dignitatis Humanae, approved by the Second Vatican Council 50 years ago.