It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. It has been acclaimed as one of the greatest spiritual writings of all time. Of the imitation of christ 1878 edition open library. First published anonymously in 1418, thomas a kempiss the imitation of christ is a classic christian devotional work that has been read through the ages by such notable figures as sir thomas more, john wesley, and pope john paul i. 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 by a kempis thomas free ebook. A man should not be unduly solicitous about his affairs. Your tardiness in turning to prayer is the greatest obstacle to heavenly consolation, for before you pray earnestly to me you first seek many comforts and take pleasure in outward things. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis essay example. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism.
Its pocket size makes it easy to carry with you or leave on your bedside table. Author of the imitation of christ, of the imitation of christ, imitatio christi, the chronicle of the canons regular of mount st. 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. Thomas a kempis was a member of the brethren of common life, in the late middle ages. Thomas a kempis s imitation of christ is an old book that deserves renewed attention, and william c. Page 1 of 1 online text of an excerpt from thomas a kempis on the imitation of christ. Search or browse the online edition of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis. May 01, 2014 this classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world. My child, i am the lord who gives strength in the day of trouble. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book first composed in latin about 1427. Thomas a kempis 79801471 was a member of the brethren, priest, augustinian monk, author of a dozen books, and copyist extraordinaire. About the imitation first published anonymously in a.
The imitation of christ is one of the most popular christian writings of all time, treasured by believers throughout six centuries and across the denominations. I knew all the things that are in the world, and were not in charity, what should it help me before god, who is to judge me according to my deeds. Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and i will refresh you. Try, moreover, to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things. These include my way of life, my imitation of christ, and especially my daily bread a title that has sold more than 1 million copies since its release in 1954, and has become a staple in many catholic parishes and homes. Agnes in 1406, he received holy orders seven years later. He was a member of the modern devotion, a spiritual movement during the late medieval period, and a follower of geert groote and florens radewyns, the founders of the brethren of the common life. 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 by thomas a kempis free ebook. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book club.
I will give you a rich reward, and will be with you in all your troubles ch. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis home facebook. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. The voice of christ my child, always commit your cause to me. 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 learned call it a classic, and the simple call it the grandest book ive ever read. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. The imitation of christ is the most universal of books. These are the words of christ, by which we are taught, how we ought to imitate his life and manners, if we will. 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. We also act without true knowledge and without plan or.
As to it not being modern, well do you really think intrinsic human nature has changed one iota in 2000 years. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. Shame really, if only you opened your mind up a bit. It is called the imitation of christ simply because that is the title of the first chapter of 114. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. A major theme throughout the imitation is that we live and act unthinkingly and therefore without a reasonable direction to our lives. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. His most wellknown work is the imitation of christ. Of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis the british.
About thomas a kempis 19 biography author of the imitation of christ, born at kempen in the diocese of cologne, in 79 or 80. For the mystics, it is mystical, and for the ascetics it is ascetical. Originally named thomas hemerken, thomas a kempis 7980. More books by thomas a kempis the chronicle of the canons regular of mount. 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.
This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the. The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ introduction the imitation of 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. The beatitudes edition kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, edythe draper. Languinais reckoned the editions and translations of the imitation at more than two thousand. 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. Thomas a kempis was born at kempen, germany, circa 80. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis became a second bible to me.
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. Thomas a kempis urges christlikeness christian history. 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 imitation satisfies every longing as water satisfies every thirst. Agnes, prayers and meditations on the life of christ, meditations on the life of christ, the imitation of mary, the chronicles of the canons regular of mount st. Thomas a kempis died on the twentyfifth of july, 1471. The four books that make up of the imitation of christ, written around 1420 by the german canon thomas a kempis c. The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. 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 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. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book.
He also possessed an earnest love for the poor and holy scripture. 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. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. The imitation of christ optimized for kindle ebook. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book three. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ.
It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always without exception.
These are christs own words by which he exhorts us to imitate his life. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook manybooks. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. Oct 22, 2006 all the contemplative literature i read encouraged being lost in inner spirituality and to ignore the dead feeling. He attended deventer in the netherlands where he eventually joined the canons and was later ordained as a priest.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The imitation of christ optimized for kindle by thomas a. My imitation of christ 9781618908247 by thomas a kempis. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. His books include the wellknown imitation of christ, life of geert groote, and life of liduina of schiedam, the latter of which he epitomized. His parents, john and gertrude haemerken, were of the artisan class. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. He became a hermit before joining the augustinians at the priory of. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. Of the imitation of christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,1 saith the lord. A meditation on spiritual life, it offers instructions for renouncing worldly vanity and discovering eternal truths. Creasys a new reading provides both scholarly and practical readers a fresh look at one. He lived at and was a member of the windesheim congregation at agneitenberg monastery in the netherlands for more than seventy years.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ. Thomas a kempis was a germandutch canon regular of the late medieval period and the author of the imitation of christ, one of the most popular and best known christian devotional books. From my research what i was experiencing was common among christians who practiced contemplative prayer. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey.
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