Mary Astell’s philosophical theology has been largely ignored.* However, there is a new modern edition of her major work in this feld, The Christian Religion, and with it the hope of new interest in her work in this area (Astell 2013). 1 This article will be the frst to consider Astell’s philosophi- cal theology in its own right, without consideration of how her views relate to her overall political or feminist views. Here, I am concerned to show I would like to thank the participants at the “Women, Philosophy, and History: A Conference in Celebration of Eileen O’Neill and her Work” at Barnard College in 2009, and the 2009 “Oxford Seminar in Early Modern Philosophy,” for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. Many thanks must go to Martha Bolton, Don Garrett, and especially to Tad Schmaltz for sharing his work on Descartes on self-existence. I would also like to thank the editors of this volume for many helpful comments and clarifcations. 10 Mary Astell on the Existence and Nature of God Marcy P. Lascano 18847-Sowaal_FemInterpAstell.indd 168 18847-Sowaal_FemInterpAstell.indd 168 12/7/15 2:39 PM 12/7/15 2:39 PM P S U P Uncorrected Proofs NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION