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. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. The book is a collection of recommendations for how to live ones life daytoday in. 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 book presents the concept the research of christs life and the emulation of his instance is the very best pursuit that man can obtain. A member of the brothers of the common life, he was ordained a priest in 14. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a religious basic and a should learn for any ardent follower of christianity. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. The imitation of christ has appeared in more editions and in more languages than any other book except the bible. Each of these is further subdivided into anywhere from twelve to. It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities and, in the words of st. His work the imitation of christ is one of the most widely read christian spiritual books ever written. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the.
The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. Using the accessible translation of the imitation of christ by william creasy, fr. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. 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. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. Samuel johnson once remarked to bowell that it must be a good book, as the world has opened its arms to receive it.
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. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language. Full text of the imitation of christ challoner see other formats. Ignatius loyola to thomas merton and pope john paul i. She reads a chapter of the imitation of christ every night before sleep. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a spiritual classic and a must read for any ardent follower of christianity.
Pdf the imitation of christ download full pdf book download. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. Pdf the imitation of christ download full pdf book. Only the bible has been more influential as a source of christian devotional reading than the imitation of christ. In of the imitation of christ, which has been translated into more languages than any other book except the bible, the author presents timeless principles for. Free traditional catholic books catholic tradition. Thomas a kempiss imitation of christ is an old book that deserves a new reading, and william c. This meditation on the spiritual life has inspired readers from thomas more and st. About the imitation first published anonymously in a. The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself.
Catholic church doctrines early works to 1800 subject. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. 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. Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus christ, imitatio christi, quotations. Billy highlights how todays christians can interpret and apply the imitation to their own spiritual journeys. Read the imitation of christ by thomas kempis illustrated online, read in mobile or kindle. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis download. The imitation of christ was written by thomas a kempis, contains 162 pages, published in 1920. 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. 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. The imitation of christ transcends its era and author, having become a testament that speaks to the perennial.
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. Full text of the imitation of christ internet archive. The imitation of christ thomas a kempis pdf, epub, kindle. 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. Each chapter is preceded by a brief introduction and followed by a set of thoughtful reflection questions that help readers understand and apply the text. The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. This work was composed during 14181427 penguin books, london, 1952 this edition was translated. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. The truth he writes of transcends centuries and applies as much to todays modern manwoman as it did back then because it addresses the issues and attitudes that lie in the human heart. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul. Download the imitation of christ by thomas kempis illustrated ebook free in pdf and epub format. This special edition is our thank you for your support. Octavo, bound in full purple morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, triple gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, gilt turnins, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, inner dentelles, frontispiece in sepia. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity.
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. More widely read and more influential than any spiritual work except the bible, the imitation of christ has offered guidance and solace to people of all faiths since its pdf publication and retains its power today. Pdf the imitation of christ by thomas kempis illustrated. 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. It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. Widely praised across centuries and continents, a preface to an 1873 edition of the book. 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. It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. Ignatius, thomas merton, thomas more, and even agatha christies miss marple. These meditations on the life and teachings of jesus, written in.
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. Spiritual life catholic church early works to 1800 subject. Written by the augustinian monk thomas a kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear instructions for. The book presents the idea that the study of christ s life and the emulation of his example is the highest pursuit that man can achieve. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis is a devotional classic for protestants and catholics that has brought comfort to millions for centuries. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have his spirit. The imitation of christ we invite you to partner with us as we work to build out a vision for amplifying the lifeimpacting themes of the imitation of christ. Imitation of christ was written by a benedictine monk around 1429. One of the bestloved books of christianity after the bible, now in a new translation a passionate celebration of god and his love, mercy, and holiness, the imitation of christ has inspired conversion and stimulated religious devotion for more than five hundred years. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook manybooks.
The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis. Click download or read online button to get the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book now. 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. Creasys a new reading of the 1441 latin autograph manuscript provides both scholarly and. Download the imitation of christ ebook free in pdf and epub format. The imitation includes four books that vary in both length book two has only 12 chapters, and book three has 59 and themes. 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, paperback.
Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. We ought to deny ourselves and imitate christ through bearing. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. 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. Book one contains useful reminders for the spiritual life. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of jesus christ. The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic.
It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life. 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. The corruption of nature and the efficacy of divine grace. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis download ebook. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. Pdf the imitation of christ download ebook for free. 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. The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. This edition is the translation by the reverend william benham.
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