4 MARCH 1882, Page 13

PLATONISM AND CHRISTIANITY.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—A sentence in a letter from Mr. Shorthonse, in the Spectator of February 25th, raises a very interesting question as to the possibility of making Platonism a basis for Christian faith. That there is no contradiction between the two, must be plain to any reader of Plato ; but at the same time, it is rare to find theologians making any use of Platonism as a basis for Christian faith. Is this because Plato encourages the indivi- dual striving of each mind to attain to the truth, and sets no "Value upon schools of thought ? Or is it that Plato forces " being," as opposed to " form," to a length that even seems, to some minds, to be inconsistent with the personality of God? That this personality is denied by Plato, will hardly be asserted; but it may have remained the function of the Christian revela-

tion to establish it as a truth.—I am, Sir, &c., B. P. L.