Gerard groote, florent radewijns, and thomas a kempis. Imitation has exerted immense influence on christian worship, ethics, and church structure, because it gives specific yet broadminded guidance about the central task of christian lifelearning to. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book club. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. The imitation of christ in four books by by thomas a kempis. 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.
Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ. The imitation of christ kindle edition by thomas a. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. Book 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. Thomas a kempis died on the twentyfifth of july, 1471. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis.
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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. Download this christian classic by thomas a kempis and share it with your leadership team. He lived at and was a member of the windesheim congregation at agneitenberg monastery in the netherlands for more than seventy years. A major theme throughout the imitation is that we live and act unthinkingly and therefore without a reasonable direction to our lives. Apart from the bible, no book has been translated into more languages than the imitation of christ. 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 translated by rev.
Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. 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. Now, god has thus ordered things that we may learn to bear one anothers burdens. 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. Introductory note the treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. 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. Of the imitation of christ and the majesty of calmness 2. He also possessed an earnest love for the poor and holy scripture.
It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 1, chapter 23. The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. The imitation of christ kindle edition by thomas a kempis. After the bible, the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is the favorite book of catholics throughout the world and has been the spiritual guide of the saints. 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 devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. Thomas van kempen or thomas hemerken or haemerken, litt. 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. He became a hermit before joining the augustinians at the priory of. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book two. 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. Thomas a kempis was named after his birthplace, kempen in germany, as was ruysbroeck who was named after his home town near to brussels. 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. Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. Thomas a kempis 79801471 was a member of the brethren, priest, augustinian monk, author of a dozen books, and copyist extraordinaire. It has been acclaimed as one of the greatest spiritual writings of all time. Book 3, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by. Forsake this wretched world and your soul shall find rest.
The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. Within the imitation of christ, a kempis portrays the disciple to be without value and. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. 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 beatitudes edition kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, edythe draper. 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. All thy breakers and thy waves have rolled over me. She reads a chapter of the imitation of christ every night before sleep. Author of the imitation of christ, of the imitation of christ, imitatio christi, the chronicle of the canons regular of mount st. Nov 22, 2010 download this christian classic by thomas a kempis and share it with your leadership team. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book one. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated. Book 3, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. Ignatius, thomas merton, thomas more, and even agatha christies miss marple.
Kempis entered the augustine monastery of agnietenberg which was near to zwolle in the netherlands. 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. Imitation has exerted immense influence on christian worship, ethics, and church structure, because it gives specific yet broadminded guidance about. 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. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. Bk 2 of 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. His books include the wellknown imitation of christ, life of geert groote, and life of liduina of schiedam, the latter of which he epitomized.
Thomas a kempis quotes author of the imitation of christ. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis librarything. 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 in the netherlands in the latter half of the fourteenth century. Haemmerlein, who was born in 79 or 80, was a member of the order of. The imitation of christ by thomas, a kempis, 801471. 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. No motive, even that of affection for anyone, can justify the doing of evil. More books by thomas a kempis the chronicle of the canons regular of mount. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. Imitation of christ by thomas a kempis read online. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of god. He was ordained in 14 and rose through the ranks whilst there. You can also read the full text online using our ereader.
Augustine the imitation of christ by charles william eliot. It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities and, in the words of st. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. These are christs own words by which he exhorts us to imitate his life and his ways p. 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. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. The four books that make up of the imitation of christ, written around 1420 by the german canon thomas a kempis c. For in so doing, the good work is not lost, but changed for what is better. Thomas is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as the imitation of christ, in which he urges the reader to. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis home facebook. We also act without true knowledge and without plan or.
Paul, to put on christ that is, to imitate christ, in order to find peace and fulfillment. His most wellknown work is the imitation of christ. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. That thomas hemerken of kempen, or thomas a kempis as he is now known, later translated a composite of their writings, essentially a spiritual. The imitation of christ is the work of at least three men. But to help someone in need, a good work may sometimes be left, or a better undertaken in its place. Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations. Yet, if all men were perfect, what should we have to bear with in others for christs sake. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member.
Originally named thomas hemerken, thomas a kempis 7980. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. 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. Of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis the british. The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ book 1 chapter 23 thoughts on death very soon your life here will end. Book 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber. The imitation of christ optimized for kindle ebook. He attended deventer in the netherlands where he eventually joined the canons and was later ordained as a priest. 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. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic.
589 147 1461 302 610 231 510 911 1529 546 1136 1226 1510 1216 463 818 955 529 1254 1221 525 1207 866 1070 1422 163 50 131 277 436 1080 1 584 1362 1162