This book investigates how second-century Christians competed to establish an authoritative discourse of Christian identity. Denise Buell contends that many early Christians utilized metaphors of procreation and kinship to assert their claims to represent the truth of Christian interpretation, practice, and doctrine. The work specifically analyzes the writings of Clement of Alexandria (ca. 150-210 C.E.), exploring how cultural assumptions about family and birth influenced the definition of legitimate Christian teachers and authentic knowledge. Buell examines the theological and social dynamics of this period, focusing on the construction of authority within nascent Christianity.

This scholarly work is recognized for its detailed examination of early Christian discourse, particularly focusing on the theological contributions of Clement of Alexandria. The book's argument regarding the deployment of procreation and kinship metaphors offers a nuanced perspective on the formation of Christian identity and authority in the second century. Scholars have noted its contribution to understanding the internal debates and competitive dynamics within early Christianity. The analysis provides insight into how theological and social structures were intertwined in defining religious truth.