He who follows me, walks not in darkness, says the lord. The imitation of christ, chapter 2, having a humble. This treasured book has brought peace to readers for many ages by showing how to follow the life of christ to which all are called. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherished book in any language. It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis.
The imitation of christ has enjoyed an unparalleled place in the world of books for more than five hundred years. Through its realistic delineation of the complexities of human existence, and in its soulbuilding optimism about the benefits of aspiring to a christ shaped life, the imitation of christ clearly deserves the accolade of spiritual classic. Even today, the soulsearching words of the fifteenthcentury cleric thomas a kempis continue to resonate, unbounded by time or geography. The imitation of christ, the second book, by thomas a kempis the first book. 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. May 03, 2014 thomas kempis, the imitation of christ book one duration. The imitation of christ is one of the best known christian books on devotion. The imitation includes four books that vary in both length book two has only 12 chapters, and book three has 59 and themes. Giving voice to the wisdom of the ages 2,821 views. By these words of christ we are advised to imitate his life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free. It speaks to the soul of every true christian, reminding us of the fleeting nature of earthly joy as opposed to the eternity of happiness with god.
For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 2, chapter 12. Creasys a new reading of the 1441 latin autograph manuscript provides both scholarly and. The one religious book that is second only to the bible in popularity.
The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 2. Considered by many to be the greatest single book of marian spirituality ever written, true devotion to mary is st. I bought other such books for friends made by different publishers but this one is the best one by far. The following pages are dedicated to the little hearts entrusted by god to cloistered poor clare colettine nuns. Only the bible has been more influential as a source of christian devotional reading than the imitation of christ. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of god.
With great personal conviction and deep humanity, thomas a kempis 801471 demonstrates the individuals reliance on god and on the words of christ, and the futility of a life without. 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 aspect of the text is at the. After reading the imitation of christ you will want to read the bible. To many the saying, deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me, 20 seems hard, but it will be much harder to hear that final word. The imitation of christ, talk 1 audiobook by eknath. Widely praised across centuries and continents, a preface to an 1873 edition of the book reads, the imitation of christ has received the unqualified. The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ book 2 chapter 11 few love the cross of jesus jesus has always many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who bear his cross. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. I dont know what the other person above me said about this book not focusing on the. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. Here is a revised edition of this thomas kempis classic by clare fitzpatrick.
The imitation of christ kindle edition by thomas a. The imitation of christ will bless all who want to respond to the call to follow jesus. The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. Online book the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. Source secondly, kempis suggests an extreme selfdenial and mortification of the flesh in response to jesus call for discipleship. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. After the bible, the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is the favorite book of catholics throughout the world and has been the spiritual guide of the saints since it first appeared in 1418. The book was first issued anonymously 1418 and was soon accorded a wide welcome, copied by different scribes, and attributed to various spiritual writers, among others st. The imitation of christ, book 3, part 2 internet archive. Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls. Books iii and iv of the imitation hold a particularly vibrant. In this revised, easytoread, prayer book size book, readers will experience the peace.
The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition learn how to deepen your spiritual experience and realize the joys of following christ more closely. Prayers of the imitation of christ the following prayers are listed in the order in which they appear in the imitation of christ. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a favorite book of catholics throughout the world. Timeless, hard truths about the quest to become as much like our lord as possible. If you wish to be in the world, but not of the world, there is no better edition of this timeless classic than my imitation of christ. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are.
The imitation of christ book 2, female voice, audio book. Book 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. The imitation of christ, chapter 2, having a humble opinion. The imitation of christ multilanguage catholic ebook. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul.
It speaks to the soul of every true christian, reminding us of the fleeting nature of earthly joy as opposed. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis goodreads. Book 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. T he imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world. Full book 2 imitation of christ read by hugh thwaites sj youtube. The imitation of christ is one of the great spiritual classics of christianity. Book one thoughts helpful in the life of the soul book two the interior life book three internal consolation book four an invitation to holy communion. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language. The imitation of christ with a commentary and audio files. Book two of the imitation is directives for the interior life.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. Ignatius loyola to thomas merton and pope john paul i. I recomend this book to christians and catholics that have trouble reading the bible. The book continues the theme of book one, and contains instructions. In easytoread giant type, the imitation of christ from catholic book publishing is a beautiful new edition of the original, deeply spiritual book by thomas a kempis. Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of christs love. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. Feb 07, 20 the imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. The imitation of christ, maroon hardcover 9780899423203 by thomas a kempis. Although written early in the fifteenth century, the many short meditations. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 2, chapter 11. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. Written by the augustinian monk thomas a kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear instructions for. Creasys new reading of thomas a kempis 1441 latin autograph manuscript has become the standard translation of this. This meditation on the spiritual life has inspired readers from. Oct 03, 2016 the imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. Thomas kempis, the imitation of christ book one duration. It is not only the most second most important its the second best book you can read about how to act with you fellow man and woman. For this reason we have attempted to render the text into english as it is spoken today rather than the cloudy, archaic.
This is the best format for the imitation of christ. Christ will come to you offering his consolation, if you prepare a fit dwelling for him in your heart, whose beauty and glory, wherein he takes delight, are all from. The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition the. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. It fits into the time period of the transition between the middle ages and the renaissance. According to the 1959 foreward over half was rendered by oakley, from chapter 5 of book ii onwards. Bk 2 of 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. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a christian devotional book. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. To many the saying, deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me,20 seems hard, but it will be much harder to hear that. In easytoread giant type, the imitation of christ from catholic book publishing is a beautiful new edition of the original.
Thomas a kempiss imitation of christ is an old book that deserves a new reading, and william c. A few words on thomas claim, once disputed but now hardly so, to the authorship of the imitation of christ. The spiritual classic by a kempis, the second most widely read spiritual book after the bible, has had an astonishing impact on the spiritual lives of countless saints, peasants, and popes for centuries. This meditation on the spiritual life has inspired readers from thomas more and st. Bk 2 of 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. Book 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber. Jesus has always many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who bear his cross. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which. A wonderful book for spiritual reading, and also as a beautiful gift book.
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