Truth, Beauty, and Justice
High-resolution, near-infrared image of vertical cloud known as L483 captured by NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, Source Actively forming star system Lynds 483 (NIRCam image) https://esawebb.org/images/weic2503a, Author NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI (CC Attribution 4.0 International)
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” – that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”
—Ode on a Grecian Urn, John Keats [1]
In his Ode on a Grecian Urn the poet John Keats examined the relationship of beauty in art, nature, and human experience to truth.
Keat raised the profound question of whether beauty and truth are subjective or objective. Since the Enlightenment and more so in the postmodern world, the belief has been that beauty is merely a matter of taste and objective truth entirely unknowable.
But that has not always been the case.
Plato identified a just community as one living in harmony with objective reality, and in accord with eternal beauty, truth, and goodness.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts…” (Eccl. 3: 11).
Many Scriptures demonstrate God’s concern for beauty. That concern is reflected in the creation, the building of the temple, and descriptions of the new heavens and new earth. Moreover, God made mankind to experience and appreciate beauty. We need only look up at the stars to recognize this.
Justice
As Keats realized, the question of whether objective beauty exists is closely tied to the question of whether objective justice exists. If the Enlightenment and postmodern view is correct, it does not.
Yet, we innately long for justice. Every child on earth has at one time or another cried out, “That’s not fair!” We feel outrage in the face of horrors like the Holocaust, and the genocide in the Rwanda [2][3]. We conducted the Nuremberg Trials, and created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in response [4][5].
There is a moral right and wrong, whether we acknowledge it or not. That fact is the basis for all the legal systems ever crafted, however imperfect they may have been.
Christians testify to the ultimate truth and justice of the Kingdom of God. Human systems will inevitably fall short. That does not make the pursuit of beauty, truth, or justice any less worthwhile.
—
[1] Wikipedia, “Ode on a Grecian Urn”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_on_a_Grecian_Urn.
[2] Wikipedia, “The Holocaust”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust.
[3] Wikipedia, “Rwandan genocide”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_genocide.
[4] Wikipedia, “Nuremberg Trials, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_trials.
[5] United Nations, “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights.
The above post was inspired by the article “Mark Fowler, Beauty and the Law” by Jeffrey Brauch, in the Journal of Christian Legal Thought, Vol. 15, No. 2, 2025
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A Lawyer's Prayers 
I couldn’t agree more, Anna.
The obvious must be said over and over again, and you did so beautifully! ❤️❤️
Thank you for the compliment, Aline. You are too kind. ❤
Beautifully said Anna!
Thank you, Ron. I really cannot take much credit. The post was inspired by Jeffrey Brauch’s article “Mark Fowler, Beauty and the Law”. He pulled the basic elements together.
I like your triad of ‘truth, beauty and justice,’ and these defined biblically. Some years back I read Brian Zahnd’ book ‘Beauty Will Save the World.’ Also Brad Jerzak’s ‘A More Christlike God.’ So much of what they’ve written is so edifying and beautiful. Both are into Eastern ‘Orthodox Christianity,’ unfortunately both skate very close to universalism, what they both term ‘Hopeful Universalism.’ That’s where I like your grouping of truth, beauty and justice [For those unfamiliar with these writers, Brian is a pastor-author from St. Joseph, Illinois. Brad is a multiple author from Abbotsford, BC, Canada. Both have a high regard for Father Richard Rohr, who is a popular panentheist, and a close friend of Oprah Winfrey, which tells its own story] How we need to discern the ‘faith once delivered’ by the apostles and cling to it, as Jude exhorted us to do so long ago. Thank you for the article, Anna. PS I’ve recently been meditating on Jesus’ refusal to compromise truth in his call to discipleship, e.g. Jn. 6:60-71. He knows what is ‘within us!’ Apologies for the lengthy comment! Warm greetings.
I always love your comments, Erroll. Feel free to write as much as you like.
Hello.
Thank you for your previous comments on my blog.
We are protected by the legacy of our predecessors’ efforts.
The concept of human beings is based on the idea of human dignity, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights loudly proclaims the fundamental human rights that stipulate the respect for this idea as a right.
But when will peace ever come to this world?
It settles on the more realistic theme of life is not perfect, but if one lives honestly, loves fully and rises above the conflicts, it’s pretty close.
What are your thoughts?
I am not entirely sure what you are referring to as the legacy of “our predecessors’ efforts”. It is true that men of good will have worked for peace in the past. Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela were among them.
However, the history of mankind is the history of warfare. Not all nations recognize the dignity of man, which is grounded in the fact man was created in God’s image. Not all nations, therefore, respect human rights.
All this is an outgrowth of the sin nature of man, something that points to our need for a Savior in the Person of Christ. There will be no real peace on earth until He returns.
The Bible identifies the two greatest Commandments as love of God, and love of neighbor. We can strive as individuals to keep those two Commandments. But they do not assure peace — not in an external, worldly sense. Christians are persecuted across the globe for their beliefs.
Christ predicted this persecution when He said He came not to bring peace to the earth, but a sword (Matt. 10: 34). He, also, said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14: 27). This kind of internal peace is available to all who believe in Christ.
I should have mentioned earlier, but my Christian name is John.
I was baptized Catholic in my youth.
However, I may not be as devout a believer as you are. The content and depth of faith vary by region, and I aspire to a faith that emphasizes the practical application of truth.
In that regard, I may sometimes sound rather skeptical. If I have troubled you, please forgive me.
No apology necessary, John. I was, for many years, an atheist as a result of childhood abuse. Skepticism is not a bad thing. We are not asked to believe blindly. CS Lewis was one of those who found faith as a result of skepticism. His faith was shaped by scientific inquiry, literature, and personal experience. He was far more eloquent in expressing that faith than I am. You might try reading him, if you haven’t already.
You say it well, Anna. Truth, beauty, justice — let us never tire of pursuing them.
Thank you, Dora. Distinguishing truth from falsehood is key, and that is only possible if we are grounded in the word of God. ❤