Creasys a new reading of the 1441 latin autograph manuscript provides both scholarly and. The book has been deeply influential and highly revered for more than 500 years. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. The work itself is a masterpiece of devotional literature. The imitation of christ thomas a kempis 9780870612312. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. Kempis has many bits of advice and words of wisdom for molding ones life to more closely reflect christs, the problem with this is that it seems to come at the expense of the gospel. 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 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 kindle edition by thomas a. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. 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. By these words of christ, we are exhorted to imitate his life and his habits, if we wish to be truly. Book 3, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book. Imitation has exerted immense influence on christian worship, ethics, and church structure, because it gives specific yet broadminded guidance about the central task of christian lifelearning 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. 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 table of contents. 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. Imitation of christ thomas a kempis pastor paul robert burton.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis home facebook. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook manybooks. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. The imitation of christ is the work of at least three men. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. She reads a chapter of the imitation of christ every night before sleep. 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. 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. Creasys translation allows the modern reader to really get into and understand the premises of the imitation of christ. 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. He also possessed an earnest love for the poor and holy scripture. His wellloved work, the imitation of christ, was written between 1420 and 1427 presumably as four booklets intended to instruct the novices of his community. Oct 03, 2016 perhaps the strongest point of kempis text is its strong sense of humility and the drive for the christian to be more christlike.
Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. A number of his treatises on the monastic life and little devotional essays have been translated into english including the great devotional work the imitation of christ c. For more than five centuries it has been the most popular spiritual book second only to the sacred scriptures. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis january 17, 2017 two things particularly further improvementto withdraw oneself forcibly from those vices to which nature is viciously inclined, and to work fervently for those graces which are most needed. Sep, 2012 thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. The school he attended at nearby deventer in holland had been started by. Chapter one 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. Imitation of christ thomas a kempis pastor paul robert. Thomas a kempis died on the twentyfifth of july, 1471. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving christ87 chapter xviii. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by. Book 3, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. A handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement where kempis was a member source. 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. Introductory note the treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century.
Aug 11, 2017 thomas a kempis 801471 was a medieval dutch monk steeped in the mystical tradition of his time. The great reverence with which we should receive christ. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. He focused on human unworthiness, self denial and mortification of the flesh, and the meaning of disciple of christ. His imitation of christ, composed in latin in the netherlands between 1420 and 1427 has become a classic favorite to many. With great personal conviction and deep humanity, thomas a kempis 801471 demonstrates the individuals. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. The original source of this document is in the public domain.
Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of christs love. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. Ignatius, thomas merton, thomas more, and even agatha christies miss marple. Translated from the original latin by the right rev. Written in the 15th century, the imitation of christ was the second most printed book in that time period and only came in second to the bible. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. The school he attended at nearby deventer in holland had been started by gerard groote, founder of the brothers of the common life. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. The imitation of christ is considered one of the best devotional works in christian literature. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ. A number of his treatises on the monastic life and little devotional essays have been translated into english including the great. Two similar series of these sermons are extant prayers and meditations on the life of christ and the incarnation and life of our lord, london, 1904, 1907. The life of christ is presented as the highest study possible to a mortal, as jesus teachings far excel all the teachings of. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in.
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. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. It presents the fundamental principles of the spiritual life. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis alibris. Imitation of christ thomas at kempis pdf afrikhepri. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis translated by rev. Perhaps the strongest point of kempis text is its strong sense of humility and the drive for the christian to be more christlike. The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. Gerard groote, florent radewijns, and thomas a kempis. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. Editions of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. Thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life.
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, image books, 1955 thomas a kempis was born in kempen, prussia in 79 into a family of artisans and metal workers. Click to share on facebook opens in new window click to share on twitter opens in new. Divided into 4 sections, kempis outlines a lifestyle that withdraws from the world. 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. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and. The first two were founders of the brethren of the common life, a lay religious society that flourished in the netherlands from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of. Like the three previous classics of monastic literature, the imitation of christ is a guide to changing our lives and learning to grow closer to christ in spirit and in deeds. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years.
Perhaps the how to should include how to live with others, with oneself, and with christ at all times. It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. Kempis has many bits of advice and words of wisdom for molding ones life to more closely reflect christs, the problem with this is. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. They treat of a kempis favorite subjects, the mystery of our redemption, and the love of jesus christ as shown in his words and works, but especially in the sufferings of his passion. Thomas a kempiss imitation of christ is an old book that deserves a new reading, and william c. Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in this work will open our eyes and nourish our soul.
Click to share on facebook opens in new window click to share on twitter opens in new window click to share on linkedin opens in new window click to print opens in new window prb facebook page. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. The imitation of christ kindle edition by thomas a kempis. His books include the wellknown imitation of christ, life of geert groote, and life of liduina of schiedam, the latter of which he epitomized. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. 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. These are christs own words by which he exhorts us to imitate his life and his ways p. Imitation of christ by thomas a kempis read online. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity.
Thomas a kempis s imitation of christ is an old book that deserves a new reading, and william c. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book first composed in latin about 1427. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Jun 14, 2017 the imitation of christ is considered one of the best devotional works in christian literature.