Oct 03, 2016 the imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. As a catechist, it is my duty to share the truth with the world. The most popular book in christianity after the bible, this treasured classic by thomas a kempis has been revised in an easytoread edition by clare fitzpatrick. Thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book. Source secondly, kempis suggests an extreme selfdenial and mortification of the flesh in response to jesus call for discipleship. For five hundred years, this gentle book, filled with the spirit of the love of god, has brought understanding and. For this reason we have attempted to render the text into english as it is spoken today rather than the cloudy, archaic. Are you an imitator of christ or an imitation christian. 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. 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.
Spiritual life catholic church early works to 1800 subject. Its pocket size makes it easy to carry with you or leave on your bedside table. The imitation of christ book local business facebook. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. Every time there is a need for christ to interfere i. 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. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. 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.
Apart from the bible, no book has been translated into more languages than the imitation of christ. Pauls letters of loving concern to the christian congregation at thessalonica outline what true followers of christ jesus today must be, and what they must believe and do. We must not rely too much upon ourselves, for grace and understanding are often lacking in us. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. See more ideas about christ, the imitation and catholic. In this video father jeff oehring speaks about the imitation of christ and the saints. Helpful counsels of the spiritual life, directives for the interior life, on interior consolation and on the blessed sacrament. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is the most widely read christian devotional book next to the bible. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. 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. The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, a digital book in the international school of theologys cyber library which is a digital library for graduate seminary research, personal, and ministry research. This treasured book has brought peace to readers for many ages by showing how to follow the life of christ to which all are called.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. The book gives counsel to read the scriptures, statements about the uses of. The imitation is based on meditations on the life and teachings of jesus, and emphasises the interior life and the centrality of the eucharist rather than an active. Widely praised across centuries and continents, a preface to an 1873 edition of the book reads, the imitation of christ has received the unqualified. The one religious book that is second only to the bible in popularity. The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ book 2 chapter 5 ourselves we must not rely too much upon ourselves, for grace and understanding are often lacking in us. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Topics include meditation, humility, human goodness and purity, singlemindedness of purpose, a. 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. Whatever the identity of the author, he was a representative of the devotio moderna q.
Imitation of christ, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. No book has more explicitly and movingly described the christian ideal. References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, e. This meditation on the spiritual life has inspired readers from thomas more and st.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis full audiobook. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. This book is a classic for comfort and understanding of living the spiritual life of christ in a physical. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in.
It fits into the time period of the transition between the middle ages and the renaissance, and is one of the best selling devotional texts of all time, and while the pious aspect of the text is at the top of its class, the underlying theology is abit of a mess. The text is divided into four books, which provide detailed spiritual instructions. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. He focused on human unworthiness, self denial and mortification of the flesh, and the meaning of disciple of christ. John swinton, kings college university of aberdeen, uk imitating christ in magwi offers the chance to understand not simply the different cultures of northern uganda and south sudan, but also the character of gospel mimesisthe imitation of jesusas born out in fleshly, enculturated forms of african faith. 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. Illustrated with illuminated manuscripts paperback, 1984 other editions. We have but little inborn light, and this we quickly lose through negligence. I dont know what the other person above me said about this book not focusing on the philosophy of christ.
Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. But what of persons and groups that claim to be christian and yet do not imitate christ, paul and the. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. For centuries, the straightforward message has brought peace to millions of readers by showing how to follow the life of christ, to which we are all called.
The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world. Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of christ s love. This section of the medieval spiritual classic talks about the interior life. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul. And to help keep the books themes top of mind on a daily basis, were also delighted to offer a series of numbered, limited edition 500 of each print art prints featuring selected passages from the imitation of christart suitable for framing. 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. Download this christian classic by thomas a kempis and share it with your leadership team. This book does nothing but focus everything on not just the philosophy of christ but the life of christ and how to live it.
The imitation of christ from catholic book publishing is a beautiful new edition of the original, deeply spiritual book by thomas a kempis. It fits into the time period of the transition between the middle ages and the renaissance, and is one of the best selling devotional texts of all time, and while the pious aspect of the text is at the. These are christs own words by which he exhorts us to imitate his life. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. These will be printed in giclee ink on archival paper. 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. Ignatius loyola to thomas merton and pope john paul i. Topics include meditation, humility, human goodness and purity, singlemindedness of purpose, a good conscience, not worshipping just for the sake of getting nice fuzzy feelings, perseverence in the sake of suffering, and willingly carrying ones cross for love of jesus. It was written in latin five hundred years ago and now brings comfort to millions of readers in over fifty languages.
Aug 22, 20 in this video father jeff oehring speaks about the imitation of christ and the saints. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 2, chapter 5. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherished book in any language. Written by the augustinian monk thomas a kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear instructions for. In christian theology, the imitation of christ is the practice of following the example of jesus. Catholic church doctrines early works to 1800 subject. The imitation of christ by thomas i kempis, paperback. A wonderful book for spiritual reading, and also as a beautiful gift book. This book is a classic for comfort and understanding of living the spiritual life of christ in a physical world. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of god. This spiritual diary has encouraged followers of christ for hundreds of years to develop a deep, abiding love for christ. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or.
The theme of imitation of christ existed in all phases of byzantine theology, and in the 14thcentury book life in christ nicholas cabasilas viewed living ones own personal life in christ as the fundamental christian virtue. Each of these is further subdivided into anywhere from twelve to fiftysix minireflections on related topics. Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. If you wish to be in the world, but not of the world, this revised translation with 117 illustrations will help you along your journey. 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.
The imitation of christ multilanguage catholic ebook. The imitation became, and has remained, after the bible, the most widely read and translated book in the world, and certainly the most influential of christian devotional writings. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. Book one thoughts helpful in the life of the soul book two the interior life book three internal consolation book four an invitation to holy communion. Download m4b 239mb download cover art download cd case insert. Only the bible has been more influential as a source of christian devotional reading than the imitation of christ. 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, located in what is now the netherlands. Imitation of christ by thomas a kempis the catholic company. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. Although its authorship is a matter of controversy, the book is linked to the name of thomas a kempis. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. Divided up by several thematic spiritual topics, this book is great for just quiet meditation on how to better imitate christ in our daily lives, and the pictures offer great images for helping the meditation. Originally published anonymously in the early 15th century, the imitation of christ is probably the most widely read and influential spiritual book after the bible.
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