Malebranche’s Metaphysical Theology

Abstract

This article examines Malebranche's theology, taking as its starting point the official condemnation of the Oratorian's works, revealing the metaphysical presuppositions of his philosophy, and highlighting the unexpected consequences that result from them. The article emphasizes the simultaneously innovative and heterodox character of his theodicy, whose explicit objective is to explain divine wisdom and the correct distribution of grace, an objective that Malebranche attempts to achieve through the invention or use of purely metaphysical concepts. However, a rigorous application of occasionalism produces effects, in trinitarian theology and Christology, that are contrary to his initial pious intentions, demonstrating that there are structural limits to the Malebranchist project of explaining dogmas through metaphysical principles.