I cant recall exactly where i found it though anyone looking for a pdf copy can go here. Several years back, i located and downloaded a copy of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis in pdf format. 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. These miracles, perforce, ceased when the core of christian doctrine was established. Having a humble opinion of self boston catholic journal.
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. 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. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. Additional formats may also be available from the main gutenberg site. Sorry,all the clever names are taken the imitation of christ. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis catholic archive. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving christ87 chapter xviii.
He focused on human unworthiness, self denial and mortification of the flesh, and the meaning of disciple of christ. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. Catholic church doctrines early works to 1800 subject. 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. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by. 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. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language.
The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. Also features the classic text in an easy to read format, in a durable fabricbound hardcover. Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in. Includes personal reflection questions, journaling prompts, study questions, and prayer prompts.
His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ. The imitation of christ catholic spiritual direction. Thrift editions kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, aloysius croft, harold bolton. This new edition of thomas a kempis classic the imitation of christ, offers readers additional helps for reflection and study. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua. William creasy has done the body of christ a great service in giving us this translation. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. Global grey free pdf, epub, kindle ebook, or read online.
Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. The imitation satisfies every longing as water satisfies every thirst. It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. 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 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. 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. Imitate christ a study guide and devotional for the. 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. The following pages are dedicated to the little hearts entrusted by god to cloistered poor clare colettine nuns. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis.
Read the imitation of christ online by thomas a kempis books. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. Timeless, hard truths about the quest to become as much like our lord as possible. It is one of christian historys bestknown works on spiritual devotion. 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 is the little bible of those who would go home, and find themselves in the quiet ecstasy of union with the eternal. 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. The learned call it a classic, and the simple call it the grandest book ive ever read. The imitation of christ thomas a kempis, aloysius croft, harold bolton on. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. We also act without true knowledge and without plan or. Filled with compassion and brilliant scholarship, fulton sheens recounting of the birth, life, crucifixion, and. 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. Books similar to the imitation of christ goodreads. Im not a fan of reading pdfs on a pc, so i printed the 114 page document. The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. Paul, to put on christ that is, to imitate christ, in order to find peace and fulfillment.
In christian theology, the imitation of christ is the practice of following the example of jesus. 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 is the most universal of books. 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. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions english edition ebook. Over the centuries its a book that may be one of the most read after the bible. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life. A member of the brothers of the common life, he was ordained a priest in 14.
Editions of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. In eastern christianity, the term life in christ is sometimes used for the same concept. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions by thomas a kempis, aloysius. 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, image books, 1955 thomas a kempis was born in kempen, prussia in 79 into a family of artisans and metal workers. Download this christian classic by thomas a kempis and share it with your leadership team. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the imitation of christ dover thrift editions. The imitation of christ, thomas a kempis audio book.
Whatever the identity of the author, he was a representative of the devotio moderna q. Spiritual life catholic church early works to 1800 subject. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book one. Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast list of translations. Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations. 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. Imitation of christ christian classics ethereal library. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book.
The imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle edition by. 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 prayerbook size edition learn how to deepen your spiritual experience and realize the joys of following christ more closely. 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 contempt of all the vanities of the world he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, saith the lord. Book 3, chapters 3140 of the imitation of christ by thomas a. Achetez et telechargez ebook the imitation of christ dover thrift editions english. Although its authorship is a matter of controversy, the book is linked to the name of thomas a kempis. The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition the. 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. 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. But charity has its times of proof as well as its times of enjoyment. 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.
Imitation of christ, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. The imitation of christ with a commentary and audio files. 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. He suggests that while christs role involves serving as an example, his chief. For the mystics, it is mystical, and for the ascetics it is ascetical. Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast list of translations and of printed. The imitation of christ, chapter 2, having a humble opinion. This spiritual diary has encouraged followers of christ for hundreds of years to develop a deep, abiding love for christ. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna. His imitation of christ, composed in latin in the netherlands between 1420 and 1427 has become a classic favorite to many. Editions of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. 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.
Thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life. It would be difficult to find a more faithful, accessible, and easytoread contemporary english. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle edition by kempis, thomas a, aloysius croft, harold bolton. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. 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. 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. References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, e.
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 is a christian devotional book first composed in latin about 1427. This 114 page pdf document is filled with wisdom on seeking god, even through difficulty and suffering. The imitation of christ dover thrift editions kindle. The ideal of the imitation of christ has been an important element of both christian ethics and spirituality. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ.