Christian Biographies for Young Readers

Simonetta Carr's newest children's biography introduces us to a father of the Chinese evangelical church, Pastor Wang Mingdao. Mingdao is remembered for standing firm for the true gospel, even though it cost him his earthly freedom. Even after a moment of weakness during persecution, Mingdao found restoration in Christ and kept the faith through twenty-three years of imprisonment. His courage and strength provide a modern example of how Christians can trust the Lord and remain faithful in times of hardship and persecution.

Born in Florence, Italy, in 1499, Peter Martyr Vermigli decided that he wanted to teach God's Word when he grew up. After many years of study, he became a well-respected leader in the Roman Catholic Church, yet he questioned the church's teachings because he believed they were contrary to the Bible. Eventually forced to flee Italy and the Roman Church, Vermigli joined the Reformers north of the Alps and devoted the rest of his life to teaching, preaching, and writing about the great truths of the Protestant Reformation. He lived in many parts of Europe, and he influenced many of the most important figures of his times. This volume in the “Christian Biographies for Young Readers” series retells the story of a servant of Christ who left behind a position of prominence in the Roman Church to courageously join the cause of the Protestant Reformation. Enhanced by illustrious, photographs, and additional information about the Reformation era, this account shows young readers how God can use the piety and talents of one man to advance the cause of His truth.

B. B. Warfield lived at a time when many people, even those who considered themselves Christians, were questioning the authority of God's Word. For centuries most people in Europe and North America had taken for granted that the Bible was the word of God, but in Warfield's lifetime they were wondering whether it could still be trusted. Warfield was confident that the Bible could be trusted, and as a professor of theology at Princeton Seminary, he devoted his life to teaching and writing about its authority and other important issues of theology. In this biography, Simonetta Carr introduces children to one of America's greatest Reformed theologians whose timeless writings address challenges to the truths of God's Word today.

The name St. Patrick is associated with three-leaf clovers and leprechauns, but what was his life really like? Simonetta Carr tells the inspiring story of how Patrick's suffering as a slave opened his eyes to the mercy of God and prepared him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Get to know the real Patrick of Ireland as young readers learn that the joy of the Lord will sustain them through difficult times and strengthen them to share the gospel.

"A really excellent introduction to an amazing female saint from the fourth century. Simonetta Carr gives a very personal feel for Macrina, as well as being theologically and historically rich!" JOHN BEHR, Regius Chair of Humanity, University of Aberdeen; and author of numerous works on patristics "I have been reading and teaching Gregory of Nyssa's marvelous and warmhearted memoir of his sister, Macrina, for many years now. Her story is increasingly known to scholars who study Christianity in the late Roman Empire but hardly known at all to other Christians. So I heartily welcome this superb book by Simonetta Carr that will make her story known to multitudes of children and hopefully also to their parents. Capturing the stories of fourth- and fifth-century Christians for modern-day readers is not at all easy, but Simonetta's study of Macrina hits all the right buttons!" MICHAEL A. G. AZAD HAYKIN, professor of church history, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Thomas Boston was born in 1676 in Duns, Scotland, during a time of religious conflict. Seeing his father imprisoned for his beliefs, Thomas understood that he too might suffer for his faith someday. As a young pastor, Thomas discovered an important book that helped him understand God's grace more clearly. As helpful as that book was, it also sparked debate in the Church of Scotland and plunged Thomas and other pastors into a heated controversy. Read how Thomas stood firmly in the face of opposition, defending more than just a book-he was defending the truth of the gospel. Simonetta Carr was born in Italy and has lived and worked in different cultures. A former elementary school teacher, she homeschooled her eight children for many years. She has written for newspapers and magazines around the world and has translated the works of several Christian authors into Italian. Presently, she lives in San Diego with her husband, Thomas, and family. She is a member at Christ United Reformed Church, Santee, California.