The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. The imitation of christ, thomas a kempis, full catholic. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook manybooks. William benham zhingoora books ntroductory note the treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. This book has opened up the personal interconnections within. 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 by a kempis thomas free ebook.
The spiritual classic the imitation of christ, the second most widelyread spiritual book after the bible, has had an astonishing impact on the spiritual lives of countless saints, peasants, and popes for centuries. For five hundred years, this gentle book, filled with the spirit of the love of god, has brought understanding and comfort. Thomas wrote many other devotional works besides the imitation of christ, his masterpiece, as well as biographies of gerald groote and florentius radewyn. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. Thomas a kempis, james watkins whether you are winsome validating the ebook by thomas a kempis, james watkins the imitation of christ. About thomas a kempis 19 biography author of the imitation of christ, born at kempen in the diocese of cologne, in 79 or 80. The imitation of christ this classic of christian devotional literature has brought understanding and comfort to millions for centuries. Kempen, or thomas a kempis as he is now known, later translated a composite of their writings, essentially a spiritual diary, from the. Thomas a kempis was born at kempen near dusseldorf in 80. Thomas a kempis was a german medieval christian monk who was born within the late 14th century. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate.
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 this classic of christian devotional literature, with readings focused on the life of christ, has brought understanding and comfort to millions for centuries. Surviving personal recollections of thomas a kempis are few indeed. Bringing the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis into todays culture. His work the imitation of christ is one of probably the most extensively learn christian religious books ever. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. 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. He lived for seventy years among the canons regular of st.
The first edition of the imitation of christ appeared in latin in the year 1470 circ. 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. Kempis is available at in several formats for your ereader. The imitation of christ by thomas akempis, paperback. Like many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul. A meditation on spiritual life, it offers instructions for renouncing worldly vanity and discovering eternal truths. It has been acclaimed as one of the greatest spiritual writings of all time.
Book 4, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. Go to the editions section to read or download ebooks. 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 by thomas a kempis, paperback. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. Some people i know who struggle a lot with pride find writings like his to be immensely helpful and humbling.
Although arguments have been brought forward through the centuries in an effort to show that thomas a kempis did not write the imitation of christ, this evidence has never been widely accepted. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. His most wellknown work is the imitation of christ. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ.
The imitation of christ illustrated kindle edition by thomas a. The book places a high level of emphasis on the devotion to the eucharist as key element of spiritual life. Ebook download free epub the imitation of christ by. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book. The imitation of christ thomas a kempis translated by rev. For the mystics, it is mystical, and for the ascetics it is ascetical. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ. For this reason, then, the imitation of christ, which was born in the practical piety of its author and his movement, breathes that same spirit into the reader. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book. 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.
A contemporary selection of catholic classics, curated for the. I had no idea it has had such an enormous impact on the church for centuries. The learned call it a classic, and the simple call it the grandest book ive ever read. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist.
Fitzpatrick written five centuries ago by a humble monk, this timeless message of faith in christ s teachings remains a vital source of spiritual strength for people seeking to follow in the footsteps of the lord. All thy breakers and thy waves have rolled over me. This thomas, born about the year 80, was educated by the brethren. His imitation of christ, composed in latin in the netherlands between 1420 and 1427 has become a classic favorite to many. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book first composed in latin about 1427. Book 1, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas. We also act without true knowledge and without plan or. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the imitation of christ. 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. Only the bible has been more influential as a source of christian devotional reading than the imitation of christ. A number of his treatises on the monastic life and little devotional essays have been translated into english including the great devotional work the imitation of christ c. 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.
Jul 01, 2006 the imitation of christ ebook written by thomas a kempis. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. The imitation of christ illustrated kindle edition by thomas a kempis. We ask, what if just 10% of christians actually lived the way jesus asked us to.
Ordained a priest, he twice served as the communitys subprior and copied books by hand, including the entire bible. He lived at and was a member of the windesheim congregation at agneitenberg monastery in the netherlands for more than seventy years. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. 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.
The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ book 1 chapter 23 thoughts on death very soon your life here will end. And of the english editions, none can equal this inspiring translation of bishop richard challoner. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. Thomas a kempis 79801471 was a member of the brethren, priest, augustinian monk, author of a dozen books, and copyist extraordinaire. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas project gutenberg. He attended deventer in the netherlands where he eventually joined the canons and was later ordained as a priest. 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. It was first published in the worlds classics in the year 1903, and reprinted in 1906. Many manuscripts scattered throughout europe ascribe the book to jean le. The imitation of christ epub adobe drm can be read on any device that can open epub adobe drm files. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. The imitation of christ kindle edition by thomas a.
The imitation of christ thomas a kempis ebooks catolicos. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 1, chapter 23. Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls. The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ book 2 the imitation of christ book two. Imitation of christ christian classics ethereal library. The imitation of christ is the most universal of books. I picked up the imitation of christ after seeing that eugene peterson recommended it though im no fan of the message. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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 is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for. Thomasa kempis imitation of christ is one in this series, featured here with fine art cover design. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis download. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of god. A major theme throughout the imitation is that we live and act unthinkingly and therefore without a reasonable direction to our lives. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free at loyal books. Ignatius loyola to thomas merton and pope john paul i. After the bible, the imitation of christ is the favorite book of catholics throughout the world. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. The imitation satisfies every longing as water satisfies every thirst. The imitation of christ kindle edition by thomas a kempis. 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.
Both protestants and catholics as well as mystics and historians of religious thought have studied these meditations on the life and teachings of jesus, finding in them a path to prayer and spiritual guidance. 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. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis translated by rev. We scour the pleasing altering of this ebook in txt, djvu, epub, pdf, dr. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublished. Aug 31, 2011 the imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. Like my god, sweetness beyond words, make bitter all the carnal comfort that draws me from love of the. The very revd robert jeffery was born in 1935 and ordained in 1959.
Classic devotions in todays language, in pdf upcoming, in that apparatus you retiring onto the evenhanded site. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. The imitation of christ isbn 9781625582416 pdf epub. Introductory note the treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. Underscoring the pivotal role that classic literature plays in the shaping of our lives, moody press has introduced moody classic series, celebrating christian writing which has stood the test of time. The teaching of christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has his spirit will find in it a hidden manna. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 2. The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis open library.