This book endorses feminist critiques of gender, yet upholds the insight of traditional Christianity that sex, commitment, and parenthood are fulfilling human relations. Their unity is a posi tive ideal, though not an absolute norm. Women and men should enjoy equal personal respect and social power, which excludes patriarchy.

In reply to some feminist critics of oppressive gender and sex norms, as well as to some communitarian proponents of Christian morality, Cahill argues that effective intercultural criti cism of injustice requires a modest defense of moral objectivity. The book thus adopts a critical realism as its moral foundation, drawing on Aristotle and Aquinas. Moral judgment should be based on reasonable, practical, prudent, and cross-culturally nuanced reflection on human experience, regarding which the body anchors many common aspects.

The approach is combined with a New Testament model of community, centered on solidarity, compassion, and inclusion of the economically or socially marginalized.