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 dated 1641 first called the. The following pages are dedicated to the little hearts entrusted by god to cloistered poor clare colettine nuns. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. The book presents the concept the research of christs life and the emulation of his instance is the very best pursuit that man can obtain. Page numbers below refer to thomas a kempis, the imitation of christ. The imitation of chirst full audiobook by thomas a. The imitation of christ ebook christian book distributors. He lived at and was a member of the windesheim congregation at agneitenberg monastery in. Catholic church doctrines early works to 1800 subject.
The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ book 1 the imitation of christ book one in the life of the soul. It was first published anonymously, in latin, in 1418. The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. He who follows me, walks not in darkness, says the lord. 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 is widely considered to be the second most read book in the world, following the bible. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book by thomas a kempis, first composed in. His work the imitation of christ is one of the most widely read christian spiritual books ever written. That a man should not be a curious searcher of the sacrament.
Book 1, chapters 1120 of the imitation of christ by. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. The book gives counsel to read the scriptures, statements about the. Counsels on the spiritual life chapter 1 on the imitation of christ he who.
Christ is the ultimate example of christians spiritual lifestyle. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. Oh, the dullness and hardness of a heart which looks only to the present instead of. The imitation of christ with a commentary and voice files. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving christ chapter 18. Chapter 1 of the imitation of christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities. The prayer of manasseh, which i mentioned in my comments, is included in this podcast. Challoners reflection on the imitation of christ 1 book three. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 1. 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 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. Of the imitation of christ and the contempt of the world he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, saith the lord. Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of christs love.
References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, e. Book one of the imitation is titled helpful counsels of the spiritual life. 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. Thomas a kempiss imitation of christ is an old book that deserves a new reading, and william c. 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. Its influence on subsequent religious literature, to the present, cannot be overstated. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul.
The interior life chapter xi few love the cross of jesus. On ardent love and eager desire to receive christ 25 18. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of. The imitation of christ book one in the life of the soul. The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. Challoners reflection on the imitation of christ 1 book two. The ebook version of imitate christ is currently available through amazon. Spiritual life catholic church early works to 1800 subject. Perhaps the how to should include how to live with others, with oneself, and with christ at all times. The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century.
Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast list of translations and of printed. There is also a citation from the apocryphal 1 macc. The book presents the idea that the study of christs life and the emulation of his example is the highest pursuit that man can achieve. Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of god.
Widely praised across centuries and continents, a preface to an 1873 edition of the book reads, the imitation of christ has received the unqualified. By thomas a kempis nihil obstat and imprimatur, 1941book 1 chapter 1. The imitation of christ, chapter 2, having a humble. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth he who follows me, walks not in darkness, says the lord. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a religious basic and a should learn for any ardent follower of christianity. Suffer with christ, and for christ, if thou desire to reign with christ. The imitation of christ 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 he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, 1 saith the lord. Of the imitation of christbook iichapter i wikisource. Like the bible and the missal, the imitation of christ is never finished. It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. Over the years it grow richer, and new vistas of help and hope are opened with every reading. The imitation of christ dated 1641 first called the following of christ by thomas a kempis this is book 1 through 4 all chapters included from the 1641 english translation with nothing added read by peterjohn parisis book 1 has 25 chapters with a preface about printing years book 2 has 12 chapters book 3 has 59 chapters book 4 has 18 chapters. A guide to following jesus elizabeth ficocelli, chris sabatino on. The catholic archive thomas a kempis the imitation of christ book 1 chapter 23 thoughts on death.
The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. The imitation of christ, thomas a kempis audio book. The imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis book 1, chapter 18. The imitation of christ christian book distributors. Like the three previous classics of monastic literature, the imitation of christ is a guide to changing our lives and learning to grow closer to christ in spirit and in deeds. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. This is certainly so in the annals of christianity. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. Book 1, chapters 110 of the imitation of christ by thomas. Read this work 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. Search or browse the online edition of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis. The book gives counsel to read the scriptures, statements about the uses of adversity, advice for submission to authority, warnings against temptation and how to resist it, reflections about death and the judgment, meditations upon the oblation of. By these words of christ we are advised to imitate his life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart.
You can also read the full text online using our ereader. Commentaries, history books, and more are linked to this page. Free audio book that you can download in mp3, ipod and itunes format for your portable audio player. The imitation of christ multilanguage catholic ebook. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. The destruction of babylon the great 1 and after these things i saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power. Creasys a new reading of the 1441 latin autograph manuscript provides both scholarly and. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. 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. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free at loyal books.
Consider the lively examples set us by the saints, who possessed the light of true perfection and religion, and you will. These are the words of christ, whereby we are admonished how we must imitate his life and conversation, if we would be truly enlightened. Of the imitation of christ, and of contempt of the world and. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis audio book chapter 1. In christian theology, the imitation of christ is the practice of following the example of jesus. The imitation of christ was written or at a minimum, transcribed by catholic monk thomas kempis circa 801471, as four separate books completed between 1420 and 1427, at mount saint agnes monastery, in the town of windesheim. 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. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read christian devotional work next to the bible and this first chapter from book one is read. The first chapter imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. 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 full text. 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. A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 18 by tom. To meditate on the life of jesus should therefore be our chief study.
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