Additional formats may also be available from the main gutenberg site. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions english edition ebook. A member of the brothers of the common life, he was ordained a priest in 14. Paul, to put on christ that is, to imitate christ, in order to find peace and fulfillment. I did no pick up that subtlety initially and purchased via ebook what i though i. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. Timeless, hard truths about the quest to become as much like our lord as possible. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. Achetez et telechargez ebook the imitation of christ dover thrift editions english. Through it, may the imitation continue to nourish, refresh, challenge, and cajole christians of all ages and anyonebelievers and nonbelievers alikeseriously considering embarking on the spiritual journey. Read the imitation of christ online by thomas a kempis books. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. 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 a kempis thomas free ebook.
Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition learn how to deepen your spiritual experience and realize the joys of following christ more closely. 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. Imitation of christ christian classics ethereal library. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis catholic archive. Im not a fan of reading pdfs on a pc, so i printed the 114 page document. It would be difficult to find a more faithful, accessible, and easytoread contemporary english. 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 thomas a kempis, aloysius croft, harold bolton on. In christian theology, the imitation of christ is the practice of following the example of jesus. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook.
These miracles, perforce, ceased when the core of christian doctrine was established. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. 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. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or parts of them because doubts exist as. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions by thomas a kempis, aloysius. The imitation of christ is the most universal of books. Imitation of christ, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. He suggests that while christs role involves serving as an example, his chief. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna. 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, which first appeared in the late fifteenth century, has without exaggeration been called the most widely read work of devotion ever written. Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book one. It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities and, in the words of st. The imitation of christ, chapter 2, having a humble opinion. 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. 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. Editions of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition learn how to deepen your spiritual experience and realize the joys of following christ more closely timeless, hard truths about the quest to become as much like our lord as possible. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ.
In eastern christianity, the term life in christ is sometimes used for the same concept. 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 the little bible of those who would go home, and find themselves in the quiet ecstasy of union with the eternal. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book first composed in latin about 1427. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated. This new edition of thomas a kempis classic the imitation of christ, offers readers additional helps for reflection and study. Over the centuries its a book that may be one of the most read after the bible. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle edition by. Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast list of translations. It is one of christian historys bestknown works on spiritual devotion. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in. 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.
It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ. References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, e. For the mystics, it is mystical, and for the ascetics it is ascetical. 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 imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, aloysius croft, harold bolton. Download this christian classic by thomas a kempis and share it with your leadership team.
Books similar to the imitation of christ goodreads. The following pages are dedicated to the little hearts entrusted by god to cloistered poor clare colettine nuns. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ dover thrift editions. William creasy has done the body of christ a great service in giving us this translation. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. 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. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua. For this reason we have attempted to render the text into english as it is spoken today rather than the cloudy, archaic terminology that encumbers so many translations of. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle. Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language.
We also act without true knowledge and without plan or. The ideal of the imitation of christ has been an important element of both christian ethics and spirituality. Although its authorship is a matter of controversy, the book is linked to the name of thomas a kempis. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. 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. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. The imitation satisfies every longing as water satisfies every thirst. Editions of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. The imitation of christ catholic spiritual direction. Imitate christ a study guide and devotional for the.
Includes personal reflection questions, journaling prompts, study questions, and prayer prompts. The learned call it a classic, and the simple call it the grandest book ive ever read. This spiritual diary has encouraged followers of christ for hundreds of years to develop a deep, abiding love for christ. Thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life. Filled with compassion and brilliant scholarship, fulton sheens recounting of the birth, life, crucifixion, and.
Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by. 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. Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast list of translations and of printed. Whatever the identity of the author, he was a representative of the devotio moderna q. Theology, doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations it is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. Read the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis for free with a 30 day free trial. Also features the classic text in an easy to read format, in a durable fabricbound hardcover. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. His imitation of christ, composed in latin in the netherlands between 1420 and 1427 has become a classic favorite to many. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. 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. This 114 page pdf document is filled with wisdom on seeking god, even through difficulty and suffering. Thrift editions kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, aloysius croft, harold bolton.
Having a humble opinion of self boston catholic journal. The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition the. A fresh and enlightening new perspective on mary, mother of god, and her central importance in the christian faith, from the author of the highly successful the lambs supper. The imitation of christ, thomas a kempis audio book. He focused on human unworthiness, self denial and mortification of the flesh, and the meaning of disciple of christ. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life.
Sorry,all the clever names are taken the imitation of christ. The imitation of christ with a commentary and audio files. Several years back, i located and downloaded a copy of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis in pdf format. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. I cant recall exactly where i found it though anyone looking for a pdf copy can go here. A major theme throughout the imitation is that we live and act unthinkingly and therefore without a reasonable direction to our lives.
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. All this monks comments on life and the world are simply suggestions as to how to overcome the obstacles that hold us here, that hold us back, that keep us blindfolded. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving christ87 chapter xviii. Catholic church doctrines early works to 1800 subject. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. 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. 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. It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. But charity has its times of proof as well as its times of enjoyment. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev.