The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. According to the 1959 foreward over half was rendered by oakley, from chapter 5 of book ii onwards. 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. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. This type of spiritual writing has been termed interior locution putting into words the feeling of what god is saying to the soul. Although its authorship is a matter of controversy, the book is linked to the name of thomas a kempis. The imitation of christ is what our world needs today. The imitation of christ with biographical introduction. Of humility in respect to ones own knowledge 3 iii. 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. The imitation of christ index internet sacred text.
Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. Unhappily we are so weak that we find it easier to. The imitation of christ christian book distributors. Book 4, an invitation to holy communion, examines the vital importance of receiving the eucharist in a reverent manner, while offering ones.
Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. Book 4, chapters 1118 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. And to help keep the books themes top of mind on a daily basis, were also delighted to offer a series of numbered, limited edition 500 of each print art prints featuring selected passages from the imitation of christart suitable for framing. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. The full thomas a kempis text comprised four books, the first three of which make up our special edition, translated from the original latin by. One of the great strengths of this book is the way hood draws attention to contemporary distortion of scriptural teaching on imitation e. It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities and, in the words of st. Of the imitation of christbook ivchapter ii wikisource. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. 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.
The text is divided into four books, which provide detailed. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a devotional classic for protestants and catholics that has brought comfort to millions for centuries. Paul, to put on christthat is, to imitate christ, in order to find peace and fulfillment. Eugene peterson, from his book take and read next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in. Although its authorship was disputed for a long time, it is generally now regarded as the product of thomas a kempis. T he imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. After the bible, this is the touchstone and probably the bestloved book of. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. Book one, book two, book three and book four for the sake of convenience. 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. When dag hammarskjold was killed in an airplane crash in africa, the books found in his briefcase were the bible and the imitation. Of the imitation of christ wikisource, the free online.
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. 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. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Widely praised across centuries and continents, a preface to an 1873 edition of the book reads, the imitation of christ has received the unqualified. He is also the executive director of abundant world institute.
As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. 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. Remember that thomas, as a catholic, believed in transubstantiation. Book 4, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas. The book contains 114 chapters separated into 4 books. The imitation of christ, thomas a kempis audio book. John schroeter is executive director at the imitation of christ. Many of the chapters are only a paragraph or more long so we decided to consolidate the chapters into their individual books. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. Books iii and iv of the imitation hold a particularly vibrant dynamic.
Commentaries, history books, and more are linked to this page. Of the imitation of christ, and contempt of the world and of all its vanities 1 ii. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis translated by rev. 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 eucharistic communion in a devout life. Whatever the identity of the author, he was a representative of the devotio moderna q. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a. Imitating god in christ is not merely an exercise in biblical theology. The 15th century treatise of the imitation of christ is one of the most popular christian books of all time. The imitation of christ is divided into four books which provide detailed spiritual instructions. Christ is the ultimate example of christians spiritual lifestyle. As you read this book, note that thomas sees communion not just as an external aid to devotion and commemoration of the lords sacrifice for us, but as an act of union with god, a purifying, correcting restorative for the soul. A touching and disarming conversation between tak the disciple and christ the learner and the beloved. We must not trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves, but cautiously and patiently try the matter, whether it be of god.
The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. The imitation includes four books that vary in both length book two has only 12 chapters, and book three has 59 and themes. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. 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.