This work investigates how the theological framework of Saint Augustine of Hippo can be re-evaluated to provide a more inclusive and robust understanding of both marriage and singlehood within the Christian tradition. Jana Marguerite Bennett, a scholar of moral theology, utilizes Augustinian texts to challenge the traditional hierarchy that often prioritizes the nuclear family over other forms of communal and spiritual relationships. She argues that the Augustinian focus on the love of God and the community of the church offers a path to re-centering the identity of the individual regardless of their marital status.

Scholars and theologians identify this text as a significant contribution to the discourse on Christian ethics and the theology of the body. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires a foundational understanding of Augustinian thought to fully grasp the author's nuanced arguments.