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Not Just Good, But Beautiful: The Complementary Relationship Between Man and Woman
In an unprecedented interreligious conference in November 2014, Pope Francis and four hundred religious leaders and scholars from around the world met in Rome to explore what their diverse faiths teach about marriage and "the complementarity of man and woman."
This book contains the most representative presentations at that closely followed event, "Humanum: An International Interreligious Colloquium, " which included Catholic, Evangelical, Anglican, Pentecostal, Eastern Orthodox, Anabaptist, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu delegates. Contributors bring the wisdom of their various faiths and cultures to bear on this timely issue, examining, celebrating, and illustrating the natural union of man and woman in marriage as a universal cornerstone of healthy families, communities and societies.
With broad global representation, "Not Just Good, but Beautiful" uses fresh language and images to highlight the beauty and benefits of marriage. Contributors do not represent political parties, but speak from their religious, intellectual, and cultural knowledge and experiences.
This book contains the most representative presentations at that closely followed event, "Humanum: An International Interreligious Colloquium, " which included Catholic, Evangelical, Anglican, Pentecostal, Eastern Orthodox, Anabaptist, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu delegates. Contributors bring the wisdom of their various faiths and cultures to bear on this timely issue, examining, celebrating, and illustrating the natural union of man and woman in marriage as a universal cornerstone of healthy families, communities and societies.
With broad global representation, "Not Just Good, but Beautiful" uses fresh language and images to highlight the beauty and benefits of marriage. Contributors do not represent political parties, but speak from their religious, intellectual, and cultural knowledge and experiences.
174 pages, ebook
First published September 21, 2015
7 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Helen Alvare
4 books10 followersHelen Alvaré is a Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law, where she teaches Family Law, Law and Religion, and Property Law. She publishes on matters concerning marriage, parenting, non-marital households, abortion and the First Amendment religion clauses. She is faculty advisor to the law school’s Civil Rights Law Journal, chair of the Task Force on Conscience Protection of the Witherspoon Institute (Princeton, New Jersey), president of the Chiaroscuro Institute (New York, New York), chair of the Catholic Women’s Forum, a consultor for the Pontifical Council of the Laity (Vatican City), an advisor to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (Washington, D.C.), and an ABC news consultant. She cooperates with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations as a speaker and a delegate to various United Nations conferences concerning women and the family.
In addition to her publications in law reviews and other academic journals, Professor Alvaré publishes regularly at thepublicdiscourse.com, and in news outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, the Weekly Standard, and the Washington Examiner. She also speaks at academic and professional conferences in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Australia.
Prior to joining the faculty of George Mason University, Professor Alvaré taught at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America; represented the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops before legislative bodies, academic audiences and the media; and was a litigation attorney for the Philadelphia law firm of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young.
Professor Alvaré received her law degree from Cornell University School of Law and her master’s degree in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of America.
In addition to her publications in law reviews and other academic journals, Professor Alvaré publishes regularly at thepublicdiscourse.com, and in news outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, the Weekly Standard, and the Washington Examiner. She also speaks at academic and professional conferences in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Australia.
Prior to joining the faculty of George Mason University, Professor Alvaré taught at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America; represented the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops before legislative bodies, academic audiences and the media; and was a litigation attorney for the Philadelphia law firm of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young.
Professor Alvaré received her law degree from Cornell University School of Law and her master’s degree in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of America.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 26, 2021
This is a collection of transcribed talks from an inter-religious conference discussing why marriage was created to be between a man and a woman and the beauty of complimentarity.
It was pretty intellectual, but I felt like some speakers were a bit fluffy (they didn’t really dive deep or say much in my opinion) but for the most part was a well-rounded perspective on the controversial issue. It was actually really interesting to be able to hear from other religions that I don’t know much about and this might be helpful for my own discussions with friends of differing religions in the future- an aid to find some common ground.
My favourite chapters/ speakers were M Prudence Allen, Bishop Jean Laffitte and Dr Rick Warren.
This quote by Dr Warren provides a great summary of the main message:
“Anytime we forget God’s intended purpose for any of His gifts, that gift will be missused, confused, abused, wasted, perverted, and even destroyed. This is true of your time, your money, your health, your freedom, your sexuality, and even marriage.”
It was pretty intellectual, but I felt like some speakers were a bit fluffy (they didn’t really dive deep or say much in my opinion) but for the most part was a well-rounded perspective on the controversial issue. It was actually really interesting to be able to hear from other religions that I don’t know much about and this might be helpful for my own discussions with friends of differing religions in the future- an aid to find some common ground.
My favourite chapters/ speakers were M Prudence Allen, Bishop Jean Laffitte and Dr Rick Warren.
This quote by Dr Warren provides a great summary of the main message:
“Anytime we forget God’s intended purpose for any of His gifts, that gift will be missused, confused, abused, wasted, perverted, and even destroyed. This is true of your time, your money, your health, your freedom, your sexuality, and even marriage.”
April 21, 2020
One of the only non-fiction books I have read just because I wanted to. I loved this book. Within a few pages, I felt like I had to take a pencil and underline certain lines. Through all the different religions and philosophies, the truth about marriage was extracted so potently. But even more than the universal truth about the complementarity between men and women, I loved this book for the beauty and importance of marriage it portrayed so lyrically at times.
August 23, 2015
This is a wonderful book about the complimentary nature of man and woman, of male and female. God created them male and female - why has it taken us so many centuries to find out what this means? This is a wonderful symposium of speakers from various denominations as well as religions and what their denomination or religion has to say about male and female. Wonderfully revealing.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell me about the United Methodist Church"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell me about the United Methodist Church"
October 15, 2025
3.5/5
This is an ecumenical and interreligious volume, articulating multiple religious viewpoints. The book is a compilation of edited transcripts from a conference, so there are no footnotes. That unfortunate choice notwithstanding, the book is an excellent (concise) statement of the goodness and beauty (see the title?) of marriage. There are gaps and, as another reviewer wrote, moments of "cognitive dissonance" given the ecumenical format, but overall this is a useful positive statement of important truths that many people -- religious and otherwise -- should be interested in promoting and defending.
The chapters written by Prudence Allen and Rick Warren were very good and the chapter written by Russell Moore was excellent. First place, however, must go to N.T. Wright's chapter "From Genesis to Revelation," which alone is worth the price of the book.
This is an ecumenical and interreligious volume, articulating multiple religious viewpoints. The book is a compilation of edited transcripts from a conference, so there are no footnotes. That unfortunate choice notwithstanding, the book is an excellent (concise) statement of the goodness and beauty (see the title?) of marriage. There are gaps and, as another reviewer wrote, moments of "cognitive dissonance" given the ecumenical format, but overall this is a useful positive statement of important truths that many people -- religious and otherwise -- should be interested in promoting and defending.
The chapters written by Prudence Allen and Rick Warren were very good and the chapter written by Russell Moore was excellent. First place, however, must go to N.T. Wright's chapter "From Genesis to Revelation," which alone is worth the price of the book.
October 28, 2021
Some essays were fantastic, such as N.T. Wrights, Prudence Allen, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, and Russell Moore. The others were a mixed bad. None were bad necessarily, but I won't return to them in the future.
October 16, 2019
Some chapters were interesting, others were phenomenal. Great insights in why marriage is so important and such a beautiful mystery.
September 30, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. A much needed book for today's culturally confused world. The book contains 16 essays by presenters from totally divergent backgrounds addressing the understanding of marriage that has been lost to so many in today's world. Writers come from distant backgrounds: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Mormon and Jewish. The presentations were given at a conference called by Pope Francis in late 2014. The striking thing about these essays are the common threads of human experience that resonate in diverse cultures and histories. I felt a deep connection with the ultimate, basic humanity of each of us and a hope that the goal of transcendence through the recognition of that unity was open to us even in today's polarized societal atmosphere.
February 28, 2016
Insightful collection of conference speech-essays on the basic complementarity of male-female. Without this fundament, then the spectrum gender theories will take full-sway. Hence it is worthwhile investigating the roots of the binary nature of human sexuality. Contributors come from a variety of Judeo-Christian backgrounds, but the contributions of Rabbi Jonathan Sachs and Sr. Prudence Allen are particularly insightful.
December 6, 2018
The topic was interesting and the wide variety of approaches to the subject was enlightening. It was not only an insightful treatment of the topic, but also a fascinating look at the diversity of religions represented and the way each belief system and view of life framed each author's approach to the subject.
November 24, 2015
I can't do any better than what all the other Four and Five Star reviews have already done except say that everyone should read this one. It's well worth it! I won this great book on GoodReads and like I do with most my wins I will be paying it forward by giving my win either to a friend or library to enjoy.
July 28, 2016
"But our compassion for those who choose to live differently should not inhibit us from being advocates for the single most humanizing institution in history. The family- man, woman, and child- is not one lifestyle choice among many. It is the best means we have yet discovered for nurturing future generations and enabling children to grow in a matrix of stability and love." Jonathan Sacks (pg 30)
October 3, 2015
An amazing and timely book
I found myself angry, rejoicing, weeping and profoundly moved by not only the book but by the event that gave birth to the book. A must-read!
I found myself angry, rejoicing, weeping and profoundly moved by not only the book but by the event that gave birth to the book. A must-read!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews