Author of the imitation of christ, of the imitation of christ, imitatio christi, the chronicle of the canons regular of mount st. 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. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ. His most wellknown work is the imitation of christ. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. Thomas a kempis was a member of the brethren of common life, in the late middle ages. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Thomas a kempis died on the twentyfifth of july, 1471.
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. 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. His parents, john and gertrude haemerken, were of the artisan class. 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 is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. 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 imitation of christ optimized for kindle ebook. Thomas a kempis 79801471 was a member of the brethren, priest, augustinian monk, author of a dozen books, and copyist extraordinaire. Languinais reckoned the editions and translations of the imitation at more than two thousand. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and i will refresh you.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis home facebook. 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. The four books that make up of the imitation of christ, written around 1420 by the german canon thomas a kempis c. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. 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. The beatitudes edition kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, edythe draper. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. About the imitation first published anonymously in a.
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. A meditation on spiritual life, it offers instructions for renouncing worldly vanity and discovering eternal truths. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook manybooks. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. More books by thomas a kempis the chronicle of the canons regular of mount. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. 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. 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 by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book first composed in latin about 1427. 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.
For the mystics, it is mystical, and for the ascetics it is ascetical. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book club. Thomas a kempis was born at kempen, germany, circa 80. This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world. 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. He attended deventer in the netherlands where he eventually joined the canons and was later ordained as a priest. A major theme throughout the imitation is that we live and act unthinkingly and therefore without a reasonable direction to our lives. 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 is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. 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 s imitation of christ is an old book that deserves renewed attention, and william c.
The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. 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 imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for. He became a hermit before joining the augustinians at the priory of. He also possessed an earnest love for the poor and holy scripture. The imitation of christ is the most universal of books. My imitation of christ 9781618908247 by thomas a kempis. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. Oct 22, 2006 all the contemplative literature i read encouraged being lost in inner spirituality and to ignore the dead feeling. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. The imitation satisfies every longing as water satisfies every thirst. Of the imitation of christ 1878 edition open library. Agnes in 1406, he received holy orders seven years later.
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. Originally named thomas hemerken, thomas a kempis 7980. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. 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. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. These are christs own words by which he exhorts us to imitate his life. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. 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 learned call it a classic, and the simple call it the grandest book ive ever read. 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. The voice of christ my child, always commit your cause to me. Try, moreover, to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things.
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. It is called the imitation of christ simply because that is the title of the first chapter of 114. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book three. You can also read the full text online using our ereader.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis essay example. 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. We also act without true knowledge and without plan or. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ. About thomas a kempis 19 biography author of the imitation of christ, born at kempen in the diocese of cologne, in 79 or 80. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis became a second bible to me.
This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. 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. As to it not being modern, well do you really think intrinsic human nature has changed one iota in 2000 years. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. I will give you a rich reward, and will be with you in all your troubles ch. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always without exception.
The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ introduction the imitation of christ. 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 man should not be unduly solicitous about his affairs. The imitation of christ optimized for kindle by thomas a.
He lived at and was a member of the windesheim congregation at agneitenberg monastery in the netherlands for more than seventy years. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. Creasys a new reading provides both scholarly and practical readers a fresh look at one. Of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis the british. Its pocket size makes it easy to carry with you or leave on your bedside table. It has been acclaimed as one of the greatest spiritual writings of all time.
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