Athanasius: Christian Biographies for Young Readers (Simonetta Carr)

Athanasius

Christian Biographies for Young Readers 

A complex and fascinating character, Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, is best remembered as the Father of Orthodoxy, upholding the doctrine of the Trinity against the Arian heresy.

In the volume of the Illustrated Christian Biographies for Young Readers series, author Simonetta Carr introduces children to the life and times of this important church father.  Athanasius was a tireless defender of the Nicene Creed, which many of us today recite as a confession of our faith.

Born during the Great Persecution, forced five times to leave his church and city, and constantly threatened by those who tried to ruin his reputation, Athanasius provides an example of godly faithfulness. Beautiful illustrations and a winsome, simply written narrative will bring the Nicene Creed to life for children of all ages, prompting relevant discussions on the divinity of Christ and the importance of creeds and confessions.

Table of Contents

* Introduction
1. Young Athanasius
2. Problems and Trials
3. Twice in Exile
4. Hiding in Deserts
5. Last Peaceful Days
* Time Line
* Did You Know?
* The Nicene Creed

About the Author

Author Simonetta Carr was born in Italy and has lived and worked in different cultures. A former elementary school teacher, she has home-schooled 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 and Sunday school teacher at Christ United Reformed Church.

Illustrator

Illustrator Matt Abraxas has traveled from California to France, studying different approaches to art. He enjoys creating and teaching art, and currently exhibits his work at the Smith-Klein Gallery in Boulder, Colorado. Matt lives with his wife Rebecca and two sons, Zorba and Rainer, in Lafayette, Colorado.

Endorsements

“This is great. It fills a gap between simplistic (and often erroneous) summaries of his life and monographs that only scholars would read. Well done!”  -— Robert Letham, senior tutor in systematic and historical theology, Wales Evangelical School of Theology

“Another excellent historical biography from the hand of Simonetta Carr! This time it is the early Christian bishop Athanasius, who is not an easy subject in some ways. But Simonetta tells his story with gusto, the right amount of admiration, and faithfulness to the Alexandrian bishop’s life. I am fast becoming a real fan of Simonetta’s writing!”
-— Michael A. G. Haykin, professor of church history, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

“Simonetta Carr’s latest book is a wonderfully accessible addition to her growing collection of books on church history for children. Her straightforward narrative is simple but never simplistic and will charm and inspire young readers to live for Christ, contra mundum, against the world. Every family should read these books.”

— Douglas Bond, author of The Betrayal and the Crown and Covenant series

“The lovely Simonetta Carr has done it again: another beautifully illustrated children’s book, this time on Athanasius.”

— Carl Trueman, Westminster Seminary