Questions Women Asked: Historical Issues, Timeless Answers

by Simonetta Carr

There are books about women in church history but they mostly focus on their lives, this book focuses on the questions they asked and shows why they are important now as they were then. The women included may not have had the benefit of a thorough theological training, but they meditated on Scripture and as a result their questions are smart, penetrating, and mostly universal. Simonetta's book will encourage you to reflect on these important issues and by delving into the treasures of God's Word will be able to raise your own questions and discuss them with others. God encourages such inquiries, and similar questions have often started a chain reaction, causing others (including us) to think better. Table of
1. Marcella of Rome (ca. 325-410): 'How Do I Understand the Scriptures?'
2. Macrina the Younger (ca. 330-379): 'Should a Christian Live Separate from the World?'
3. Monica of Tagaste (ca. 331-387): 'Will My Son Be Lost?'
4. Dhuoda of Uzès (ca. 800-843): 'How Can I Nurture a Distant Son?'
5. Kassia (ca. 810-865): 'The Fullness of My Sin Who Can Explore?'
6. Christine de Pizan (1364-1430): 'Is Woman a Defect of Creation?'
7. Argula Von Grumbach (1492-1554): 'Should We Speak against Injustice?'
8. Elizabeth Aske Bowes (ca. 1505-1572): 'How Can I Be Sure I Am Saved?'
9. Renée of France (1510-1575): 'Should We Pray for God's Enemies?'
10. Giulia Gonzaga (1513-1566): 'How Can I Find Peace of Conscience?'
11. Olympia Morata (1526-1555): 'What Can I Do if My Husband Neglects Me?'
12. Charlotte de Bourbon (1546-1582): 'What Should I Consider in a Marriage Proposal?'
13. Charlotte Arbaleste Duplessis-Mornay (1550-1606): 'Does God Care about Hairstyles?'
14. Dorothy Leigh (d. 1616): 'What Should a Mother Teach Her Sons?'
15. Bathsua Makin (ca. 1600-1675): 'Should Women Be Educated?'
16. Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672): 'How Do I Know the True God Is the One Described in Scriptures?'
17. Elisabeth of the Palatinate (1618-1680): 'Are Mind and Body Separate?'
18. Lucy Hutchinson (1620-1681): 'How Can We Trust God s Providence?'
19. Mary White Rowlandson (ca. 1637-1711): 'Why Am I Troubled?'
20. Anne Dutton (ca. 1692-1765): 'Can Women Write about Theology?'
21. Kata Bethlen (1700-1759): 'Can I Marry a Nonbeliever?'
22. Marie Durand (1711-1776): 'Can I Be a Secret Christian?'
23. Anne Steele (1717-1778): 'Must I Forever Mourn?'
24. Isabella Marshall Graham (1742-1814): 'How Can I Help Neglected Families?'
25. Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1753-1784): 'How Can I Not Oppose Tyranny?'
26. Ann Griffiths (1776-1805): 'What Have I to Do with Idols?'
27. Betsey Stockton (ca. 1798-1865): 'Are These the Beings with Whom I Must Spend the Remainder of My Life?'
28. Lydia Mackenzie Falconer Miller (1812-1876): 'Can True Science Disagree with the Bible?'
29. Sarah Miller (d. 1801): 'Can Christians Have Disturbing Thoughts?'
30. Anne Ross Cundell Cousin (1824-1906): 'Can We Sing in Heaven if Our Loved Ones Are Missing?'
31. Jeanette Li (1899-1968): 'Can the Church of Christ Be Destroyed?'

Genres: History, Christian Living, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Biography

240 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2021

About the 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 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.
Awards - First prize (Best Biography) in the 2014 San Diego Book Awards Association (see book Anselm of Canterbury)
First Prize Athanatos Ministries - Best children's book (see book Anselm of Canterbury)

Reviews

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you feel small in a big world? Are there big questions you hold but feel like you’re the only one?

⭐️ Throughout history there have been women asking the same questions we do, about motherhood, life, justice and faith. @carrsimonetta introduces us to 31 women in history each a short biography, highlighting a question they had, and how they sought the answer.

🌱These women faced deep challenges and looked to the Word, and the wisdom of others to guide their hope and their actions.

📚This is a 5 star read! One of the highlights in this book are the ‘Food for thought’ questions at the end of each biography, which would be excellent to use in a small group setting. Beware, these are not fluffy question, they get to the heart of justice, theology and faith, helping us to wrestle in community.

*Find my full review on the blog here https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/bi...

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduced me to many women who remained faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ in a variety of difficult situations and living in many different times and places starting with Marcela of Rome (born in 325 AD) and ending with Jeannette Li (died in 1968). I enjoyed this book very much. The 'for further study' sections and the study questions were helpful. I appreciated the time line in the back, too.

[Elizabeth Ziegenfus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces the reader to many women of faith who have been overlooked yet asked questions that are still relevant today. Carr covers the full scope of church history, beginning in the fourth century and ending in the 20th century. A must read for anyone seeking a fuller understanding of how women have participated in and contributed to the church. An excellent book to read devotionally or with a group as Carr ends each chapter with questions for reflection.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging tour of church history through the lives and questions of women—enjoyed the unique framing. Read my full review here: https://modernreformation.org/resourc...

[Ashley Hoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept meaning to post this and forgetting.

How many women do you know of in church history? Can you name 10? Do you know of any contributions that women have made to our faith over the last 2,000 years?

In Questions Women Asked, Simonetta Carr walks us through church history through the eyes of women and gives us 31 biographies from ladies who lived from 325 to 1968. She covered Marcella of Rome (ca. 325–410), Macrina the Younger (ca. 330–379), Monica of Tagaste (ca. 331−387), Dhuoda of Uzès (ca. 800–843), Kassia (ca. 810–865), Christine de Pizan (1364–1430), Argula Von Grumbach (1492–1554), Elizabeth Aske Bowes (ca. 1505–1572), Renée of France (1510–1575), Giulia Gonzaga (1513–1566), Olympia Morata (1526–1555), Charlotte de Bourbon (1546–1582, Charlotte Arbaleste Duplessis-Mornay (1550–1606), Dorothy Leigh (d. 1616), Bathsua Makin (ca. 1600–1675), Anne Bradstreet (1612–1672), Elisabeth of the Palatinate (1618–1680), Lucy Hutchinson (1620–1681), Mary White Rowlandson (ca. 1637–1711), Anne Dutton (ca. 1692–1765), Kata Bethlen (1700–1759), Marie Durand (1711–1776), Anne Steele (1717–1778), Isabella Marshall Graham (1742–1814), Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1753–1784), Ann Griffiths (1776–1805), Betsey Stockton (ca. 1798–1865), Lydia Mackenzie Falconer Miller (1812–1876), Sarah Miller (d. 1801), Anne Ross Cundell Cousin (1824–1906), and Jeanette Li (1899–1968).

I know, that was a long list of names. Thankfully, reading the actual book is significantly more palatable than reading the names lol. I posted the list so that you could see how wide the reach was of ladies Simonetta wrote about. It spanned across time and different ethnic backgrounds, much like how the kingdom of heaven will be. The questions that these ladies asked were also very diverse. From very practical questions like, “How Can I Nurture a Distant Son?” and “Does God Care about Hairstyles?” to the more existential, “How Do I Know the True God Is the One Described in Scriptures?” and “The Fullness of My Sin Who Can Explore?” Simonetta discusses so much of life in such a short (relatively) book.

The chapters are divided up so that you can go through it by yourself and read one a day or you could do it with a small group and talk through them once a week (although it would take 31 weeks). She asks very insightful questions at the end of each chapter and offers some resources for if you would like to learn more about any of the ladies. Ultimately, this QWA is a book about life, what it means to be human, and how God can use ordinary people to build his kingdom. It is rich, insightful, and hugely educational.

One of the most pleasant surprises I found while reading was that I had only been familiar with 2 ladies that Simonetta wrote about before reading the book (Betsy Stockton and Phillis Wheatley), so it was a lot of new information! I also loved that the ladies she covered spanned a diverse group of ethnicities, so you can truly see the people of God coming together from all walks of life in a beautiful way. I also appreciated that she didn’t sugar coat the stories of each of them. She let them be real humans and through their questions, gave a platform for us to be pointed back to Christ.

All in all, this gets another 5 out of 5 stars for me. This book is really for everyone. If you are looking to learn more about church history or if you have teenagers that you want to teach about church history, this book is absolutely perfect for you. If you need to be encouraged in your faith, this book is perfect for you. If you want to grow in your understanding of theology, this book is perfect for you.

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Previously, I reviewed a book that has bit sized profiles of dead saints which I enjoyed. Then came this new book from Simonetta Carr that gave me more believers to know and see how God has used for His greater glory.

In Questions Women Asked, Carr combine questions and women in church history very well. As we go on the quest on finding the answers, we go as well deep on the story of these women believers. Having this book as a historical cruse and encouragement, you’ll have a book that is worth your time and money.

I was in the middle of this book and Carr is not stopping dishing highly encouraging book. There a streaks of profiles that will keep you on your feet and of course there will be those (not so) low points. Then again, those parts will swallowed up with the excellent one. This book is not just inspiring for Christian women but for all believers. If you’re a guy picking up this book, as you dive into this, the uplifting stories will drown your perception that this might just be a book for women. Entries are brief & satisfying but the book is a bit long with 31 chapters. But the thing is, it doesn’t matter. If Carr mentions books either written by her or about the person she is highlighting, you’ll want to go and check it out immediately. The Food for Thought is very helpful to further submerge you to the personality and questions of these believers, so please don’t skip that section.

From big theological (Should a Christian Live Separate from the World?, How Can We Trust God’s Providence?, How Do I Know the True God Is the One Described in Scriptures?) to social issues (How Can I Not Oppose Tyranny?, Should We Speak against Injustice?), to women concern (Is Woman a Defect of Creation?, Can Women Write about Theology?,Can Women Write about Theology?) to personal questions (How Can I Nurture a Distant Son?, Does God Care about Hairstyles?, Can Christians Have Disturbing Thoughts?) that needs biblical response, Carr really delivers. You’ll find questions that will arose your interest and find it as answers that keeps on nagging your mind. These questions are relatable that’s why you’ll stick reading it from beginning to end.

These women of faith came from different walks of life offering extraordinary testimonies of how God use their talents, professions and gifts in their specific place and time in church history. From poets, mothers, princess, writers, slaves and someone who had a discussion with Descartes (whoa!), Carr’s writing and research is so versetile even if the source for those saints are limited. She can whip up an excellent sketch on these women that will get you investing to their life and works in the book. As I go through the middle of this book and still Carr gets me glued. As I near the end, I got a bit tired and I have to put this book down and get some rest. But as I resume reading, my love for this book is all burning again.

Questions Women Asked is a page turner on church history, pressing questions and the role of women in Christianity throughout the centuries all mash up in this superb book. You’ll want to put Simmonetta Carr on your radar for biography authors and probably pick up some of her works after reading this one. You’ll enjoy this one because of how it is written, well researched, encouraging and informative as well. After you put down this one, you’ll be looking for the sequel of this book (and I hope she’s write it.) Highly recommend!

My verdict:

5 out of 5

Purchase the book by clicking here.

(Review copy of this book was provided by Reformation Heritage Books)

[Sarahelisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simonetta Carr has written short biographies of thirty one Christian women who lived around the world, over a span of sixteen centuries. The biographies focus on the questions that these ladies have asked, often in correspondence or in poetry. The questions range from the trustworthiness of the Scriptures, concern about unbelieving children, assurance difficulties and other doubts, mental health problems and singleness. Some of the subjects are well known, for example, Monica who was mother of Augustine of Hippo and Anne Bradstreet the poet. Others are less known, although some such as Marie Durand deserve to be more widely known.
The chapter about Sarah Sergeant Miller is particularly interesting. Sarah struggled with depression, doubts as well as a gambling addiction and a flirtation with laudanum. She continued in her despair for the first five years of her marriage, without sharing her difficulties with her husband, due to mistaken teaching from her mother. Thankfully, she was delivered out of her difficulties and became a great helper to others.
This book is worth reading and then rereading and spending time to think through the questions. This would make an excellent choice for a book group.

[Shannyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely and inspiring collection of mini biographies. However, I felt the need to edit the title of this book to Questions Women Asked, Historical Issues, Inspirational Women instead of Questions Women Asked, Historical Issues, Timeless Answers”. When I picked up this book I thought that the “answers” would be more clear and applicable. (Although that could be a lack of critical thinking on my part.) instead, this book focuses on various trials women faced and questions that may have arisen during their life.

The first question posed is a good example of my frustration with this book. “How can I understand scripture correctly?” Marcella (a young widow) retreated from the world and dedicated her life to learning languages and studying the Bible. A truly inspirational story, and while it is a way to answer that question, not really an answer that is applicable to me as a wife and mother.

I do appreciate that this book encourages you to do further research and ask more questions, but I do not think it truly provides “timeless answers” which created some frustration in me as I read this book.

[Adriana Treviño · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reading copy and this is the first book I’ve read from Simonetta Carr… I am now officially a fan!
Sometimes when reading about different times or cultures I find myself missing some context… well, not here! The author does an extraordinary job giving us all the information.
The book tells the stories of some godly women from different cultures throughout history and, while doing so, we discover along with them answers to common theological questions.
I learned so much. One constant thought while reading was “These are normal women and yet their faith and courage is admirable!”
It’s the perfect combination between doctrine and history.

I can’t recommend it enough. I recommended it to my pastor and he loved it, in fact he
suggested all the staff to read it. :)

[Jaclyn Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book and such a great format which will lead to many discussions about many issues. Simonetta Carr gives us wonderful biographies of many Christian women from the past, many whom I've never encountered, and from all over the world and from throughout history starting with Marcella of Rome and ending with Jeanette Li. I especially enjoyed the further questions at the end of each chapter which would be fantastic for discussion questions for a small group. I hope Carr does a second volume so I can get to know more women of faith from history.

[Persis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the stories of 31 women in church history from the 4th-20th century and the questions they asked. Questions that covered a range of topics from theology, ethics, justice, suffering, and family. Their lives are fascinating and show that Christian women are thinkers and theologians as well as wives, sisters, and mothers. I also liked the thoughtful questions for the reader to ponder at the end of each chapter and recommended resources to learn more. If you are interested in church history, this book is for you.

[Kelvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

[REVIEW] “This book’s content page, character names under each chapter and a timeline at the back captured my interest!

It is a blend of church history and pastoral theology to women through questions.

This book surely adds on to the line of godly women for the present age.

Besides my prior knowledge of knowing women during Jesus’, NT, and the Reformation times, Carr’s book has plugged a missing gap in my personal library.”

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate RHB and the books they publish. This book contains short excerpts of Christian women throughout history, many of them godly women that aren't particularly well-known, and focuses on their Spiritual questions. The bibliographies are especially helpful as they provide ideas for further reading.

[Storm Shultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was engaging and easy to read, while giving a lot of information about the women who played roles in reformed history. I enjoy history, but sometimes it can be dry- Carr writes in a way that it’s almost conversational and really kept me interested in the women! I’m happy to have added this to my shelf!

[Elizabeth Gunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of these women I have not heard of, so it was really cool to discover new people and think hard about the things they were thinking about. I would have loved some more detail or depth at times, but overall, this was a very good read.

[Angie Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The chapters were short enough to keep my attention and I learned some really interesting Christian history about 31 different women spanning almost 2000 years.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tour through Christian women spanning much of the early church. Many of these women I had never heard of and enjoyed reading their short biographies and the questions Simonetta Carr posed at the end of each. It was an interesting read. I read through it slowly, trying to absorb as much as possible.

[Kassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a busy mom, I appreciated the easy-to-read format of the book and loved the “food for thought” section at the end of each chapter. It was interesting to read about so many women I had never heard of along with some familiar names as well. I enjoyed reading it on my own, but also think it would be a great choice for a group to go through and discuss together in a book study or small group. I highly recommend this book!