In 114 short chapters organized into four simple parts, this handbook on the spiritual life offers guidance on dozens of topics such as resisting temptation, avoiding hasty judgments, putting up with others faults, remembering gods many blessings, self. 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 languages, and provided them with a source of heartfelt personal prayer. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. Each of these is further subdivided into anywhere from twelve to. Although its authorship is a matter of controversy, the book is linked to the name of thomas a kempis. Imitation of christ, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. Free pastors and christian leadership resources for your church ministry and congregation at. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. There is such a beauty, such a blessed reward in being hidden, hidden with christ in god. I felt in the background of my life a waiting force that would lift me up eventually. The imitation of christ by thomas i kempis, paperback. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. Kiley, archiepiscopus milwaukiensis november 5, 1940. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in.
A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. The imitation of christ has appeared in more editions and in more languages than any other book except the bible. Thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life. 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. Currently only available in epub format download prc format under development. Tony reinke is senior writer for desiring god and author of competing spectacles 2019, 12 ways your phone is changing you 2017, john newton on the christian life 2015, and lit. When a man humbles himself because of his faults, he easily placates those about him and readily appeases those who are. A guide to following jesus elizabeth ficocelli, chris sabatino on. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free at loyal.
Indeed, combining his meditation with theological substance would be the true imitation of christ. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving christ 87 chapter xviii. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated. 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 is the little bible of those who would go home, and find themselves in the quiet ecstasy of union with the eternal. His imitation of christ, composed in latin in the netherlands between 1420 and 1427 has become a classic favorite to many. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving christ87 chapter xviii.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free at loyal books. In christian theology, the imitation of christ is the practice of following the example of jesus. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The imitation of christ ronald arbuthnott knox michael. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. Next to the bible, this book is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language. Book 1, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. The ideal of the imitation of christ has been an important element of christian theology, ethics and spirituality.
References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, e. Dorothy day founder of the catholic worker movement. Catholic church doctrines early works to 1800 subject. 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. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. Editions of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. Additional formats may also be available from the main gutenberg site. 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. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is the most widely read christian devotional book next to the bible. The book presents the idea that the study of christ s life and the emulation of his example is the highest pursuit that man can achieve. Retaining the deep devotional flavor of a kempiss original, this fresh translation will provide practical guidance on the central task of the christian life. Book 1, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by thomas a.
For nearly 600 years, the imitation of christ has had a profound impact on the spiritual life of christians. Excellent companion to the imitation of christ that comprises writings about our lady carefully culled from the works of thomas a kempis and set forth in the style of the imitation of christ. This spiritual diary has encouraged followers of christ for hundreds of years to develop a deep, abiding love for christ. Spiritual life catholic church early works to 1800 subject. Pdf the imitation of christ download full pdf book. The spiritual classic by a kempis, the second most widely read spiritual book after the bible, has had an astonishing impact on the spiritual lives of countless saints, peasants, and popes for centuries. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility.
Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language. The imitation of christ by ronald arbuthnott knox, 9780898708721, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. 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. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. Each of these is further subdivided into anywhere from twelve to fiftysix minireflections on related topics. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback.
He who does gods will and renounces his own is truly very learned. 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. Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast. This is the progress that all christian should pursue in imitating our lord jesus christ. 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. If you have yet to drink deeply from the wisdom in these pages, the complete imitation of christ removes any excuse for further procrastination. With great personal conviction and deep humanity, thomas a kempis 801471 demonstrates the individuals reliance on god and on the words of christ, and the futility of a life without.
It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. Feb 07, 20 the imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. Feb 12, 2018 attributed to a german priest named thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ has captured the attention of numerous saints since its publication in the 15th century. All this monks comments on life and the world are simply suggestions as to how to overcome the obstacles that hold us here, that hold us back, that keep us blindfolded. 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. The imitation of christ is a book that followed me through my days. 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. He suggests that while christs role involves serving as an example, his chief. Imitation of christ christian classics ethereal library. This 114 page pdf document is filled with wisdom on seeking god, even through difficulty and suffering. The imitation of christ transcends its era and author, having become a testament that speaks to the perennial. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world.
The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. This is the ideal of the contemplative life, but also much of our intimacy with, and love for god whatever our state in life is hidden inasmuch as it consists in what passes between two lovers. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. His work the imitation of christ is one of the most widely read christian spiritual books ever written. Creasy, introduction, the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. Having a humble opinion of self boston catholic journal. References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, such as the pauline epistles saint augustine viewed the imitation of christ as the fundamental purpose of christian life, and as a remedy for the imitation of the sins of adam. The imitation of christ has enjoyed an unparalleled place in the world of books for more than five hundred years. It was written in latin five hundred years ago and now brings comfort to millions of readers in over fifty languages. 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. Again and again i came across copies of it and the reading of it brought me comfort. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life. Samuel johnson once remarked to bowell that it must be a good book, as the world has opened its arms to receive it. The book gives counsel to read the scriptures, statements about the uses of adversity, advice for.
This modern translation is direct and concise, yet retains a deep devotional flavor. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. One of the bestloved books of christianity after the bible, the imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of god and his love, mercy and holiness, which has inspired conversion and stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. 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. 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. He focused on human unworthiness, self denial and mortification of the flesh, and the meaning of disciple of christ. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a spiritual classic and a must read for any ardent follower of christianity.
These miracles, perforce, ceased when the core of christian doctrine was established. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. Reading of the 1441 latin autograph manuscript by william c. Whatever the identity of the author, he was a representative of the devotio moderna q. To many the saying, deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me, 20 seems hard, but it will be much harder to hear that final word. The book presents the idea that the study of christs life and the emulation of his example is the highest pursuit that man can achieve. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always without exception. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a spiritual classic and a must read for any ardent follower of. 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. Ordained a priest, he twice served as the communitys subprior and copied books by hand, including the entire bible. He lived for seventy years among the canons regular of st. It offers a splendid way to grow in the imitation of jesus through the imitation of his holy mother. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook manybooks.