Truth, goodness and beauty

"Beauty is truth, truth is beauty, that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."

(John Keats, 'Ode on a Grecian Urn')

Apparently the three-fold distinction between things being true, good and beautiful is an old one, although I don't remember hearing of it till now. I can't quite find where it originates. Anyone know?

I think it may be quite helpful whenever we explain the Gospel to remember it is true, good and beautiful. Different people are encouraged in their growth by one or the other, and different people find one or another a stumbling block to coming to faith.

I was reading Galatians the other day, and I must confess that I was finding Galatians 1-2 quite boring (I know I shouldn't, but it is true). As I was reflecting on this I realised that it was because Paul is largely addressing why the Gospel he preached is true because it is of a divine origin, and I'm not really interested in whether it is true or not. Not because I don't care if it is a lie, but because I already accept that it is true. Instead I want to be reminded of its beauty!

But there is a reason it is in the Bible. As I thought more about Paul's audience I realised that most people I know don't believe for reasons that could broadly be categorised as either (whether they confess it or not):

• Christianity is not true (e.g. 'Science disproves Genesis', 'Miracles cannot happen', 'Jesus did not rise again on the third day', 'we cannot trust the gospels as historical accounts', 'a good God and suffering are logically incompatible'); or
• Christianity is not attractive (e.g. 'It is unfair for God send people to hell', 'Christianity is a straitjacket', 'Christianity causes wars', 'it is not worth me giving up X to become a Christian', 'a God who allows suffering is not worth worshipping')

I think I became a Christian primarily because it was attractive (morally and aesthetically) rather that because I believed it to be true. Because of that I think I am usually tend to be a bit of a fideist and I'm slow to address issues of truth when speaking to others.

But I don't think this is a good place to be. I may be more excited by the attractiveness of the Gospel but truth and attractiveness have to go together as Keats says. Therefore I need to change for my own benefit, and for the benefit of those I speak about the Gospel to.