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