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. Commentaries, history books, and more are linked to this page. The imitation of christ with a commentary and audio files. Book 4, chapter 14, comfort, consolation, devotion, eucharist, holy communion, mercy. The imitation of christ multilanguage catholic ebook. Widely praised across centuries and continents, a preface to an 1873 edition of the book reads, the imitation of christ has received the unqualified. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. Imitate christ a study guide and devotional for the. To many the saying, deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me. This book is about advices and fruits of meditation for the life of the soul. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,1 saith the lord.
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. This book includes everything necessary for reaching christian perfection, namely. This section of the medieval spiritual classic talks about the interior life. The following pages are dedicated to the little hearts entrusted by god to cloistered poor clare colettine nuns. The emphasis is upon christ as the highest and most exalted life that every christian should imitate in order to gain life to the fullest. Christian perfection which should be the goal of each one of us is the aim of the imitation of christ. For once you resign yourself irrevocably, greater grace will be given you. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. Book 1, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. This special edition is our thank you for your support. The imitation of christ is, after the bible, the most widelyread christian book in history, and deservedly so. Chapter 1 the method of reaching perfection and its.
The imitation of christ with biographical introduction. After the bible, this is the touchstone and probably the bestloved book of christianity. The imitation of christ, chapter 3, the doctrine of truth. 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 imitation of christ book two the interior life. 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. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book 1 chapter. Thomas breaks out in praise over the goodness of god.
Of the imitation of christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. Do not cast me out forever nor blot me out of the book of life, and whatever tribulation befalls will not harm me. Every time there is a need for christ to interfere i. Book 3 chapter 54 part 1 the imitation of christ by thomas. Introduction 34 the chapters of the first book counsels on the spiritual life 1. How we must offer ourselves wholly to god, and pray for all men 24 10. 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. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of. Search or browse the online edition of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis. 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. Chapter 17 all our care is to be placed in god the voice of christ my child, allow me to do what i will with you. That a disciples goodness emanates from god, not of himself.
Full book 3 imitation of christ read by hugh thwaites s. Chapter 37 pure and entire resignation of self to obtain freedom of heart the voice of christ my child, renounce self and you shall find me. The imitation of christ book 3 chapter 33 on inconstancy of heart and the directing of our final intention to god. Christ is the ultimate example of christians spiritual lifestyle. Books iii and iv of the imitation hold a particularly vibrant dynamic.
Book 3, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 2. With a brown vinyl cover and appropriately sized for easy and. A touching and disarming conversation between tak the disciple and christ the learner and the beloved. 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. I picked it up after reading a book on the 17thcentury french missionaries to the new world. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. The ebook version of imitate christ is currently available through amazon. Each 14 page chapter has to be digested individually thus the snails pace taken to get through it and meditated upon afterwards in order to get the full effect. Fisk, this abridged edition of the imitation of christ from catholic book publishing is designed specifically for contemporary readers. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book by thomas a kempis, first composed in. Of the royal road of the holy cross book 3 chapter 1. Of the fervent desire of devout persons toward receiving the body and blood of christ.
Full book 1 imitation of christ read by hugh thwaites s. Its definitely a book to own, as i could easily see how you could read it once a. The imitation became, and has remained, after the bible, the most widely read and translated book in the world, and certainly the most influential of christian devotional writings. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, saith the lord.
It is a treasurechest of christian wisdom and truth. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by. Book 3, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas. Book 1, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas. The imitation derives its title from the first chapter of book i, the imitation of christ and contempt for the vanities of the world latin. 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. According to the 1959 foreward over half was rendered by oakley, from chapter 5 of book ii onwards.
The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis the catholic archive. 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. While you will be able to buy the print version of this book at amazon, or barnes and nobles online, or only if requested at the retail store, it is much, much better for me if you buy your copy by using the link on this page. For man proposeth, but god disposeth the imitation of christ, book i, ch. T he imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. Topics include meditation, humility, human goodness and purity, singlemindedness of purpose, a good conscience, not worshipping just for the sake of getting nice fuzzy feelings, perseverence in the sake of suffering, and willingly carrying ones cross for love of jesus.
45 383 668 968 1491 340 1005 686 1168 329 278 111 987 1169 770 464 402 763 973 1315 913 347 1183 1093 1 491 1355 930 563 1381 799 567 1421 217 718 589 681 1378 1196 817 1211 665