It fits into the time period of the transition between the middle ages and the renaissance, and is one of the best selling devotional texts of all time, and while the pious. Tinsley who seek to argue that imitatio christi is one, if not the, distinguishing feature of the ethos of the new testament, their case. The book presents the idea that the study of christ s life and the emulation of his example is the highest pursuit that man can achieve. 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. Ignatius loyola to thomas merton and pope john paul i.
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. Written by the augustinian monk thomas a kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear instructions for. Pdf the imitation of christ download full pdf book download. The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. Kempis was a german medieval christian monk who was born in the late 14th century.
The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. After reading the imitation of christ you will want to read the bible. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. The imitation of christ has appeared in more editions and in more languages than any other book except the bible. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis.
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. Free pdf the imitation of christ download pdf search. Kempis the imitation of christ, which first appeared in the late fifteenth century, has without exaggeration been called the most widely read work of devotion ever written. His work the imitation of christ is one of the most widely read christian spiritual books ever written and 2nd only to the bible. Thanks to technology, and perhaps due to christianitys low status in our modern liberal age, there is a fantastic treasure trove of good, traditional catholic books available for free or nearfree. 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. Written in a candid and conversational style, the imitation of christ discusses liberation from worldly inclinations, recollection as a preparation for prayer, the consolations of prayer, and the place of eucharistic communion in a devout life. The joy of being like christ headlineas thomas kempis, a serene and devoted man of god, walked in the lords presence, he discovered priceless steps to becoming more like christ daily. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev.
It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. 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. Book 4, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas. Imitation of christ was written by a benedictine monk around 1429. Pdf the imitation of christ download full pdf book. The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul. The book presents the concept the research of christ s life and the emulation of his instance is the very best pursuit that man can obtain. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ. Only the bible has been more influential as a source of christian devotional reading than the imitation of christ. This meditation on the spiritual life has inspired readers from thomas more and st.
Although its authorship is a matter of controversy, the book is linked to the name of thomas a kempis. Creasy, introduction, the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. Aug 17, 2016 the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a religious basic and a should learn for any ardent follower of christianity. Creasy published on 2007 by mercer university press. Whatever the identity of the author, he was a representative of the devotio moderna q. 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 by thomas a kempis, paperback.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. 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 vintage spiritual classics. Samuel johnson once remarked to bowell that it must be a good book, as the world has opened its arms to receive it. Using the accessible translation of the imitation of christ by william creasy, fr. This modern translation is direct and concise, yet retains a deep devotional flavor. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis download ebook. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. He suggests that while christ s role involves serving as an example, his chief. The imitation of christ he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, says the lord.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. Reading of the 1441 latin autograph manuscript by william c. 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. Ignatius loyola to thomas merton and pope john paul ii. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book.
His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. In preparing this edition of the imitation of christ, the aim was to achieve a simple, readable text which would ring true to those who are already lovers of this incomparable book and would attract others to it. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. These miracles, perforce, ceased when the core of christian doctrine was established. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth.
Below are links to valuable and timeless catholic texts including those written by great saints and fathers and doctors of the church that you. It is not only the most second most important its the second best book you can read about how to act with you fellow man and woman. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated.
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 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. The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. Billy highlights how todays christians can interpret and apply the imitation to their own spiritual journeys. Free traditional catholic books catholic tradition.
The teaching of christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he. Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. 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. 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 manybooks. 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 was written by thomas a kempis, contains 162 pages, published in 1920. The imitation of christ 9781565638150 by thomas a kempis. This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world. I recomend this book to christians and catholics that have trouble reading the bible.
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. Click download or read online button to get the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book now. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast. This lovely maroon clothcovered book also presents sections on the rosary and the stations of the cross illustrated in full color. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities. This special edition is our thank you for your support. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life.
It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities and, in the words of st. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a spiritual classic and a must read for any ardent follower of christianity. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. The imitation of christ shows how to better live the life of a christian by closely following christ \s example. Each chapter is preceded by a brief introduction and followed by a set of thoughtful reflection questions that help readers understand and apply the text. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. Download the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis pdf free. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a devotional classic for protestants and catholics that has brought comfort to millions for centuries. T he imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. The imitation of christ we invite you to partner with us as we work to build out a vision for amplifying the lifeimpacting themes of the imitation of christ.
Free download the imitation of christ pdf full pdf. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. The imitation of christ is best known for its uncompromising stance on discipleship. Read the book on paper it is quite a powerful experience. 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 download. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. In of the imitation of christ, which has been translated into more languages than any other book except the bible, the author presents timeless principles for. For this reason we have attempted to render the text into english as it is spoken today rather than the cloudy, archaic terminology. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of jesus christ. You can download the imitation of christ vintage spiritual classics in pdf format. It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility.
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