Abstract

I explore the role of George Berkeley's immaterialist metaphysics in the defense of the doctrines of his orthodox Christian faith. In my study, I draw not only from his principal philosophical works but also from his sermons and non-philosophical essays. My conclusions are as follows. First, immaterialism plays a very small role in Berkeley's overall defense of Christian theism. Secondly, the originality of Berkeley's apologetics consists almost entirely in those arguments which presuppose immaterialism. Thirdly, Berkeley's apologetic efforts are largely a failure. And fourthly, the only significant accomplishment made by immaterialism for Christian theism lies in the additional explanatory power it provides for certain Biblical texts.