What issue primarily characterized the disputes leading to the Council of Chalcedon?

The disputes leading to the Council of Chalcedon were primarily characterized by theological disagreements surrounding the nature of Christ, particularly concerning the concepts of Monophysitism and Dyophysitism. Monophysitism asserts that Christ has only one nature, which is divine, while Dyophysitism maintains that Christ exists in two natures, one divine and one human, united in one person.

The Council of Chalcedon, convened in 451 AD, aimed to resolve these divisions and clarify the doctrine of Christ's dual nature, affirming that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. This formulation helped unify the church's teachings against the backdrop of the considerable theological confusion and division caused by conflicting Christological views that had emerged in the preceding centuries. By addressing these crucial theological debates, the council played a pivotal role in shaping the foundational beliefs of Christianity regarding the nature of Christ.