Spiritual life catholic church early works to 1800 subject. By these words of christ we are advised to imitate his life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or parts of them because doubts exist as. For nearly 600 years, the imitation of christ has had a profound impact on the spiritual life of christians. These miracles, perforce, ceased when the core of christian doctrine was established. In eastern christianity, the term life in christ is sometimes used for the same concept the ideal of the imitation of christ has been an important element of both christian ethics and spirituality. Translatorharold bolton and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Thomas offers his readers the chance to probe the depths of their spirituality and reminds us that even our wellintentioned oblations remain stained with selfishness unless we constantly seek to root out our egocentrism and pursue the very heart of. I did no pick up that subtlety initially and purchased via ebook what i though i. It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. For five hundred years, this gentle book, filled with the spirit of the love of god, has brought understanding and comfort to millions of readers in over fifty. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life.
The imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle edition by. Seven years after joining the monastery of mount st. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving christ87 chapter xviii. The ardent longing of devout men for the body of christ 15. This spiritual diary has encouraged followers of christ for hundreds of years to develop a deep, abiding love for christ. Each of these is further subdivided into anywhere from twelve to fiftysix minireflections on related topics. In preparing this edition of the imitation of christ, the aim was to achieve a simple, readable text which would ring true to those who are already lovers of this incomparable book and would attract others to it. The imitation satisfies every longing as water satisfies every thirst. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, aloysius croft, harold bolton. The imitation of christ transcends its era and author, having become a testament that speaks to the perennial. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth.
The imitation of christ has enjoyed an unparalleled place in the world of books for more than five hundred years. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Publication date 20060128 usage public domain topics audiobook nonfiction, mysticism. The imitation of christ will bless all who want to respond to the call to. Theories most popular at the moment ascribe the imitation to two or three men, members of the brethren of the common life, an association of priests organized.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book one. This classic of christian devotional literature has brought understanding and comfort. The imitation of christ, book 3, part 3 internet archive. It offers a splendid way to grow in the imitation of jesus through the imitation of his holy mother.
His imitation of christ, composed in latin in the netherlands between 1420 and 1427 has become a classic favorite to many. For the mystics, it is mystical, and for the ascetics it is ascetical. This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world. This 114 page pdf document is filled with wisdom on seeking god, even through difficulty and suffering. In christian theology, the imitation of christ is the practice of following the example of jesus. Theories most popular at the moment as cribe the imitation to two or three men, mem bers of the brethren of the common life, an association of priests organized in the nether lands in the latter half of the fourteenth cen tury.
The 15th century treatise of the imitation of christ is one of the most popular christian books of all time. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua. How to find peace with god in the imitation of christ. The imitation of christ is the most universal of books. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth he who follows me, walks not in darkness, says the lord john 8. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions by thomas a kempis. Learn about new offers and get more deals by joining our newsletter. This lovely maroon clothcovered book also presents sections on the rosary and the stations of the cross depicted with over 40 vivid, full color illustrations. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of jesus christ. The doctrine of truth happy is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words that fade, but as it actually is.
Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations. The ideal of the imitation of christ has been an important element of both christian ethics and spirituality. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book first composed in latin about 1427. By thomas kempis, aloysius croft, harold bolton, isbn. Sep, 2012 despite the lack of intellectual and theological substance in his meditation, the imitation of christ has changed the life of many people.
The imitation of christ, image books, 1955 thomas a kempis was born in kempen, prussia in 79 into a family of artisans and metal workers. Kempis this classic, second only to the bible for religious instruction and inspiration, has brought understanding and. Thomas a kempis translator aloysius croft translator harold. That a man should not be a curious searcher of the sacrament, but a humble imitator 8 of christ, submitting his sense to holy faith imitation of christ iii. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. For this reason we have attempted to render the text into english as it is spoken today rather than the cloudy, archaic.
Buy the imitation of christ 9780486431857 in bulk bulk bookstore. Despite the lack of intellectual and theological substance in his meditation, the imitation of christ has changed the life of many people. The imitation of christ index internet sacred text. Although its authorship was disputed for a long time, it is generally now regarded as the product of thomas a kempis. The work is a manual of devotion assisting the soul in its pursuit of holiness and communion with god.
Thomas a kempis translator aloysius croft translator. The body of christ and sacred scripture are most necessary to a faithful soul 12. It has been acclaimed as one of the greatest spiritual writings of all time. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle. At the age of thirteen years, he left his family to join his older brother, john, who had ten or twelve years earlier traveled to. If you have yet to drink deeply from the wisdom in these pages, the complete imitation of christ removes any excuse for further procrastination. And of the english editions, none can equal this inspiring translation. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. Indeed, combining his meditation with theological substance would be the true imitation of christ.
From both pursuits evolved the imitation of christ. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always without exception. Table of contents introductory note the first book admonitions profitable for the spiritual life chapter i of the imitation of christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities chapter ii of thinking humbly of oneself chapter iii of the knowledge of. He also is known by various spellings of his family name.
The following pages are dedicated to the little hearts entrusted by god to cloistered poor clare colettine nuns. Each of these is further subdivided into anywhere from twelve to. The imitation of christ with a commentary and audio files. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. Of the imitation of christ, and contempt of all the vanities of the world he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, saith the lord. After the bible, the imitation of christ is the favorite book of catholics throughout the world. A classic in every state of the word, the imitation of christ places the fruit of one mans singleminded devotion to gods calling on his life within the reach of every reader. Imitation of christ imitation of christ this you who lie and scream you fall to dust you fall to dust in walls of words your words are blind you speak and you are dumb and blind the word that is your god is you who fall so low and fall so far imitation of christ imitation of christ fly to the moon, dear sew it on a stool tie on the carpet all. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or.
In eastern christianity, the term life in christ is sometimes used for the same concept. His most wellknown work is the imitation of christ. Masterly blend of adventure, character study, psychological penetration. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. The bestselling spiritual classic from the middle ages continues, with more talk of detachment from unhappiness, things people say about you, and unfortunate events. References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, e. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the imitation became and has remained, after the bible, the most widely read book in the world. May we all commit to be this effective in our emulation of jesus. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ dover thrift editions. Thomas a kempiss the imitation of christ, the most beloved book in christendom after the bible, explains the way of peace for all who are restless and weary and seek gods peace to refresh the soul in a fallen world that burdens man with weariness, trouble, and struggle, the soul naturally yearns for an abiding peace that the world does not offer, only god. The imitation of christ was written or at a minimum, transcribed by catholic monk thomas kempis circa 801471, as four separate books completed between 1420 and 1427, at mount saint agnes monastery, in the town of windesheim.
These are the words of christ, by which we are taught, how we ought to imitate his life and manners, if we will be truly enlightened, and be delivered from all blindness of heart. The imitation of christ, chapter 5, reading the holy. The book was written in latin and published in circa 1418. Over the centuries its a book that may be one of the most read after the bible. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving christ 87 chapter xviii. Imitation of christ christian classics ethereal library. Dover thrift editions kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, aloysius croft, harold bolton. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member the imitation is perhaps the most widely read christian devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Kempis, edited by aloysius croft, edited by harold bolton. The life of christ is presented as the highest study possible to a mortal, as jesus teachings far excel all the teachings of the saints. Theology, doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations it is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. The imitation of christ quotes showing of 200 be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
He attended deventer in the netherlands where he eventually joined the canons and was later ordained as a priest. The learned call it a classic, and the simple call it the grandest book ive ever read. Like if god were our one and only desire we would not be so. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or parts of them because doubts exist as to their authorship, or because. Theories most popular at the moment ascribe the imitation to two or three men, members of the brethren of the common life, an association of priests organized in the netherlands in the latter half of the fourteenth century. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions by thomas a kempis, aloysius. The communicant should prepare himself for christ with great care. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Jan 20, 2012 born in germany around 80 and died in the netherlands in 1471, thomas a kempis is one of the most well known medieval catholic devotional writers. The imitation of christ is a devotional book by germandutch writer and philosopher thomas hammerken, commonly known as thomas a kempis. Catholic church doctrines early works to 1800 subject. The imitation of christ catholic spiritual direction.
His career thereafter was devoted to practicing the counsels of spiritual perfection and to copying books for the schools. He suggests that while christs role involves serving as an example, his chief. With all her heart the devout soul should desire union with christ in the sacrament 14. The imitation of christ shows how to better live the life of a christian by closely following christs example. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity.
Retaining the deep devotional flavor of a kempiss original, this fresh translation will provide practical guidance on the central task of the christian life. The imitation of christ, book 3, part 3 by thomas a kempis. Nov 22, 2010 this spiritual diary has encouraged followers of christ for hundreds of years to develop a deep, abiding love for christ. This is the progress that all christian should pursue in imitating our lord jesus christ.
136 560 284 53 814 455 818 678 482 365 726 1181 824 1067 527 73 889 392 54 1406 415 777 284 1054 935 652 1378 1166 105