These meditations on the life and teachings of jesus, written in. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. Thomas a kempis christian history christianity today. Written by the augustinian monk thomas a kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear instructions for. Thomas wrote many other devotional works besides the imitation of christ, his masterpiece, as well as biographies of gerald groote and florentius radewyn. However serious illness overtook, and it was his wish for classical scholar michael oakley to complete the translation for publication by. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. 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. After reading the imitation of christ you will want to read the bible.
Aug 17, 2016 the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis itself is a work of meditation. Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast. The imitation of christ by thomas, a kempis, 801471. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook manybooks.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. Thomas a kempis books list of books by author thomas a kempis. Thomas a kempis, christian theologian, the probable author of imitatio christi imitation of christ, a devotional book that, with the exception of the bible, has been considered the most influential work in christian literature.
Quotations by thomas a kempis, german clergyman, born 80. Translated from the original latin by the right rev. The imitation of christ was written by thomas a kempis, contains 162 pages, published in 1920. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of god. Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. Thomas kempis and the imitation of christ download ebook. Ignatius, thomas merton, thomas more, and even agatha christies miss marple. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free at loyal books. The very revd robert jeffery was born in 1935 and ordained in 1959. They were talking about thomas a kempiss the imitation of christ, the devotional classic that has been translated into over 50 languages, in editions too numerous for scholars to keep track of. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a devotional classic for protestants and catholics that has brought comfort to millions for centuries. His parents, john and gertrude haemerken, were of the artisan class.
His books include the wellknown imitation of christ, life of geert groote, and life of liduina of schiedam, the latter of which he epitomized. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. 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. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. All thy breakers and thy waves have rolled over me. 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 deventer in holland to join the brothers of the. She reads a chapter of the imitation of christ every night before sleep.
This thomas, born about the year 80, was educated by the brethren of the common life, was moved to join their community, and was ordained priest. The book presents the concept the research of christ s life and the emulation of his instance is the very best pursuit that man can obtain. His meditation on spiritual life and zeal to imitate christ in. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. This work was composed during penguin books, london, this edition was translated. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. It speaks to the soul of every christian, reminding them of the fleeting nature of earthly joy and the eternity of happiness with god. 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. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. Imitation of christ by thomas a kempis read online. Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls. It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities and, in the words of st.
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 by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book. 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. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated. From both pursuits evolved the imitation of christ. It is said that thomas s book has been the most read of any book other than the bible. Only the bible has been more influential as a source of christian devotional reading than the imitation of christ. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. Ignatius loyola to thomas merton and pope john paul i. More books by thomas a kempis the chronicle of the canons regular of mount.
The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. Throughout the book, a kempis quotes the words of jesus in mark 8. His career thereafter was devoted to practicing the counsels of spiritual perfection and to copying books for the schools. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. Knox was a long term devotee of the imitation, so began to work on the translation with his engaging, passionate, poetic, very readable style, as befits the spiritual tone set by thomas a kempis.
Read download the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. Thomas a kempis died on the twentyfifth of july, 1471. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis download. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book. Haemmerlein, who was born in 79 or 80, was a member of the order of the brothers of common life, and spent the last seventy years of his life at mount st. First published anonymously in 1418, thomas a kempis s 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. Thomas a kempis quotes author of the imitation of christ. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member.
T he imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. Thomas a kempis was born in kempen, prussia in 79 into a family of artisans and metal workers. 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. He focused on human unworthiness, self denial and mortification of the flesh, and the meaning of disciple 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. 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 deventer in holland to join the brothers of the common life founded by gerhard groote.
Thomas a kempis was a late medieval monk that underwent a monastic life. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. About thomas a kempis 19 biography author of the imitation of christ, born at kempen in the diocese of cologne, in 79 or 80. His classic the imitation of christ has long been a favorite of christians of all denominational backgrounds. 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.
It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. A major theme throughout the imitation is that we live and act unthinkingly and therefore without a reasonable direction to our lives. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. We also act without true knowledge and without plan or. Kempis 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. He also possessed an earnest love for the poor and holy scripture. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. Enjoy the best thomas a kempis quotes at brainyquote. The imitation became, and has remained, after the bible, the most. Pdf the imitation of christ download full pdf book. The imitation of christ is best known for its uncompromising stance on discipleship. This meditation on the spiritual life has inspired readers from thomas more and st.
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. Thomas kempis was a late medieval catholic monk and author of the imitation of christ, one of the best known christian books on devotion. Click download or read online button to get the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book now. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. Jane kivik free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. Kempis s the imitation of christ is a religious basic and a should learn for any ardent follower of christianity. 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 by thomas a kempis, paperback. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis download ebook. Kempen, or thomas kempis as he is now known, later translated a composite of their writings, essentially a spiritual diary, from the. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free at loyal.
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