The one religious book that is second only to the bible in popularity. Thomas a kempis died on the twentyfifth of july, 1471. Written by thomas kempis in the middle ages, the imitation of christ has been revered for nearly six centuries as a spiritual classic. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. This book does nothing but focus everything on not just the philosophy of christ but the life of christ and how to live it.
I was rather overwhelmed when i first read this book and stopped taking notes because every word and sentence took me away as if i got hit by lightning. It originated among the brothers of the common life in the netherlands and was written probably c. If you wish to be in the world, but not of the world, there is no better edition of this timeless classic than my imitation of christ. 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. 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 of christ from catholic book publishing is a beautiful new edition of the original, deeply spiritual book by thomas a kempis. 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 ideal of the imitation of christ has been an important element of both christian ethics and spirituality. 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. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ. References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, e. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always without exception. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism.
In this revised, easytoread, prayer book size book, readers will experience the peace and wisdom that has comforted catholics from around the world. By these words of christ we are advised to imitate his life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. The imitation of christ he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, says the lord. My imitation of christ by thomas a kempis and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis alibris. Countless saints from therese of lisieux to ignatius of loyola have kept this book on their. In christian theology, the imitation of christ is the practice of following the example of jesus. The teaching of christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has his spirit will find in it a hidden manna. Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440.
Its pocket size makes it easy to carry with you or leave on your bedside table. Agnes in 1406, he received holy orders seven years later, and thereafter busied himself with prolific writing and copying work. Covers the fundamental principles of the spiritual life. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for. The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition the.
Most popular spiritual book second only to sacred scripture. Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of christ s love. My imitation of christ revised translation illustrated. The imitation of christ was written 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. 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. He attended deventer in the netherlands where he eventually joined the canons and was later ordained as a priest. 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 illustrated kindle edition by. I own over 40 christian books and this is my top 5. Book 1, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. Although one of the most popular books in christian literary history, i found this text difficult to connect with because of the jabbing absolutes and insistence on isolation.
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. For five centuries it has been the most popular spiritual book second only to the sacred scriptures. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. I felt in the background of my life a waiting force that would lift me up eventually.
This book is going to forever be in either of two places in my home. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a. My imitation of christ by kempis thomas a abebooks. His books include the wellknown imitation of christ, life of geert groote, and life of liduina of schiedam, the latter of which he epitomized. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ illustrated. Source for information on imitation of christ, the. He also possessed an earnest love for the poor and holy scripture. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of. Free pastors and christian leadership resources for your church ministry and congregation at crosswalk. It has been acclaimed as one of the greatest spiritual writings of all time.
Timeless, hard truths about the quest to become as much like our lord as possible. 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. From both pursuits evolved the imitation of christ. 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 by thomas a kempis, paperback. Whatever the identity of the author, he was a representative of the devotio moderna q. The book that has made more saints than any other, after the bible. The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. These are the words of christ, by which we are reminded that we must copy his life and conduct if we wish to be truly enlightened and to be delivered from all blindness of heart. It presents the fundamental principles of the spiritual life. Imitation of christ was written by a benedictine monk around 1429.
Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. The truth he writes of transcends centuries and applies as much to todays modern manwoman as it did back then because it addresses the issues and attitudes that lie in the human heart. Goodreads members who liked the imitation of christ also liked. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. Eugene peterson, from his book take and read next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language. 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. Book 3, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth he who. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. Comfort and encouragement in the turmoil and discord of today four books by thomas a. 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. In burgundy bonded leather with a zipper close, here is an easytoread revised edition of this thomas a kempis classic by clare fitzpatrick.
The imitation of christ illustrated kindle edition by kempis, thomas a. 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. My imitation of christ, thomas a kempis, classic, spiritual life, book, catholic books. The imitation of christ, christian devotional book, of great popularity. 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. 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. Although its authorship is a matter of controversy, the book is linked to the name of thomas a kempis. Books similar to the imitation of christ goodreads. Again and again i came across copies of it and the reading of it brought me comfort. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of jesus christ. The book that has made more saints than any other, after the. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. The imitation of christ is a beautiful edition of the original, deeply spiritual book by thomas a kempis.
The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. The list of the bestselling christian books of all time almost demands every single title carry some sort of disclaimer, but that disclaimer would be different depending on the individual. Read this work 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. The imitation of christ christian books, bibles, gifts. When dag hammarskjold was killed in an airplane crash in africa, the books found in his briefcase were the bible and the imitation. The christian soul is invited to follow christ who is the way, the truth and the life. It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. Book 3, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member the imitation is perhaps the most widely read christian devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic.
The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition learn how to deepen your spiritual experience and realize the joys of following christ more closely. Synopsis 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. Find books like the imitation of christ from the worlds largest community of readers. The imitation of christ is a book that followed me through my days. Differences over theology mainly will affect this list. Thomas a kempis the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis needs no introduction.
In eastern christianity, the term life in christ is sometimes used for the same concept. His most wellknown work is the imitation of christ. Indeed, it has been translated into several languages and handed down. The imitation of christ burgundy leather edition the. Thomas more, the great renaissance scholar and martyr, considered this devotional one of the most important books for a christian to own. In this revised, easytoread, prayer book size book, readers will experience the peace and wisdom that have comforted catholics from around the world.
My imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback barnes. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. Book four of the imitation, on the blessed sacrament, is also in the form of a dialogue between jesus and the disciple.
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