A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. But to help someone in need, a good work may sometimes be left, or a better undertaken in its place. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. 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. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book. Ignatius, thomas merton, thomas more, and even agatha christies miss marple. Samuel johnson once remarked to bowell that it must be a good book, as the world has opened its arms to receive it. The first two were founders of the brethren of the common life, a lay religious society that flourished in the netherlands from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century.
It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. Thomas a kempis was a member of the brethren of common life, in the late middle ages. Jun 14, 2017 divided into 4 sections, kempis outlines a lifestyle that withdraws from the world. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. His classic the imitation of christ has long been a favorite of christians of all denominational backgrounds. Online text of an excerpt from thomas a kempis on the imitation of christ. 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, of which kempis was a member. Imitation has exerted immense influence on christian worship, ethics, and church structure, because it gives specific yet broadminded guidance about. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. 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.
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. All thy breakers and thy waves have rolled over me. It is said that thomass book has been the most read of any book other than the bible. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis translated by rev. Augustine the imitation of christ by charles william eliot. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. 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. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. Translated from the original latin by the right rev. The school he attended at nearby deventer in holland had been started by. This 114 page pdf document is filled with wisdom on seeking god, even through difficulty and suffering. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book first composed in latin about 1427. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. By these words of christ, we are exhorted to imitate his life and his habits, if we wish to be truly.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. She reads a chapter of the imitation of christ every night before sleep. The school he attended at nearby deventer in holland had been started by gerard groote, founder of the brothers of the common life. His imitation of christ, composed in latin in the netherlands between 1420 and 1427 has become a classic favorite to many. Sep, 2012 thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life. 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. The book has been deeply influential and highly revered for more than 500 years. My child, i am the lord who gives strength in the day of trouble. Published 1924 condition finely bound in contemporary giltblocked calf over marble boards with the spine starting. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. Thomas a kempis became a monk in 14 and spent his days studying the bible, writing, and copying the bible for others. Gerard groote, florent radewijns, and thomas a kempis. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in this work will open our eyes and nourish our soul. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free.
He also possessed an earnest love for the poor and holy scripture. Thomas a kempis urges christlikeness christian history. The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ book 1 the imitation of christ book one in the life of the soul. It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities and, in the words of st. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in.
Imitation of christ thomas at kempis pdf afrikhepri. A handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement where kempis was a member source. 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 most wellknown work is the imitation of christ. 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. He focused on human unworthiness, self denial and mortification of the flesh, and the meaning of disciple of christ.
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. It is said that thomas s book has been the most read of any book other than the bible. 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 table of contents. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated. Thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life. No motive, even that of affection for anyone, can justify the doing of evil. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. Nov 21, 2000 the imitation of christ is the work of at least three men. Divided into 4 sections, kempis outlines a lifestyle that withdraws from the world. Paul, to put on christ that is, to imitate christ, in order to find peace and fulfillment. Perhaps the how to should include how to live with others, with oneself, and with christ at all times. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis.
The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. The imitation of christ is the work of at least three men. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 1. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book one. 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, paperback. 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. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book club. Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls. 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.
Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. This spiritual diary has encouraged followers of christ for hundreds of years to develop a deep, abiding love for christ. The disciple i bless you, o heavenly father, father of my lord jesus christ, for having condescended to remember me, a poor creature. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. The imitation of christ has appeared in more editions and in more languages than any other book except the bible. Thomas a kempis 79801471 was a member of the brethren, priest, augustinian monk, author of a dozen books, and copyist extraordinaire. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of god. Oct 03, 2016 perhaps the strongest point of kempis text is its strong sense of humility and the drive for the christian to be more christlike.
Book 3, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. Introductory note the treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. The imitation of christ was written or at a minimum, transcribed 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. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. Nov 22, 2010 download this christian classic by thomas a kempis and share it with your leadership team. 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 zippered cover by thomas a. 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. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Perhaps the strongest point of kempis text is its strong sense of humility and the drive for the christian to be more christlike. Whether you are seeking representing the ebook by thomas a kempis the imitation of christ vintage spiritual classics rev sub 22298 by thomas a kempis in pdf appearance, in that condition you approach onto the equitable site. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook.
Kempis has many bits of advice and words of wisdom for molding ones life to more closely reflect christs, the problem with this is that it seems to come at the expense of the gospel. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook manybooks. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. Thomas a kempis, so called from his birthplace at kempen, near dusseldorf, was born of humble parents, john and gertrude haemerken, of whom little is known, and whose claim to fame rests in their two sons, john born 65 and thomas born 80, both of whom were destined to become distinguished sons of the church, the former as prior of. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. Of the imitation of christ and the majesty of calmness 2.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. Of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis the british. Download this christian classic by thomas a kempis and share it with your leadership team. He attended deventer in the netherlands where he eventually joined the canons and was later ordained as a priest. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ. Kempis has many bits of advice and words of wisdom for molding ones life to more closely reflect christs, the problem with this is. The imitation of christ kindle edition by thomas a kempis. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis home facebook.
Thomas a kempis died on the twentyfifth of july, 1471. October 22, 2006 by lighthouse trails editors the imitation of christ is a popular book in christendom that most likely sits on the book shelves of many christian homes and churches. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. We represent the dead change of this ebook in txt, djvu, epub, pdf, physician arrangement.
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