The Imitation of Christ (Optimized for Kindle) by Thomas A. Kempis (PDF)

Description

The Imitation of Christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in Christianity. 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. 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 Christ, and admonitions to flee the vanities of the world.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I’ve read only the first 30%. The majority of the book is do’s and dont’s about how to be a better person. That would ordinarily bore me but this list is surprisingly fresh and contains a number of ideas that go beyond the obvious. It’s not written from a dogmatic ‘do this or God will punish you’ point of view. Instead it’s more like ‘you’ll go deeper in your meditation practice if you avoid these pitfalls’.The benefit of reading it is not so much that I learn new information but that it seems to work on the reader’s mind in a subtle way, so that if one opens the book feeling agitated about the details of his or her complicated life, after a chapter or two one is reminded that life is something deeper than those trivial details. After twenty minutes of reading I often forget completely whatever thought was troubling me and feel calmer and more clearly motivated to focus on what really matters in life and let everything else take its own natural course.The author makes occasional mention of a secret level of spiritual instruction that is given to only a select few. Although it’s interesting to speculate about what type of instruction the author refers to, don’t hope for this book to divulge too much about its contents. The author stays focused on the main topic of how to structure ones outer life to facilitate development of the inner life.

⭐A lot of people have told me over time that this book is a spiritual classic. I was kind of skeptical because I have read numerous books on spirituality only to come away disappointed. They were dry and repetitive of typical themes. After reading this book I can attest that is a classic. I read it straight through like a book. However, this is a book I will read daily in small “doses.” Very powerful. If you are looking for a solid book on spirituality this is it.We spend our lives catering to our bodies and our minds. This book will “tune” your soul to the Lord.

⭐I tried to read ‘The Imitation of Christ’ years ago. But it was an older translation and I had to have a dictionary close by to look up a lot of words that aren’t commonly used today. I only made it through Book 1. This Hardcover Ronald Knox translation is so much easier to read. And it’s a beautiful little book – small with a gold embossed black hard cover underneath the dust jacket with the image of Christ carrying a cross. About 4×7″. A special keepsake book. Of course, the content bears no additional comments – I think everyone who’s ordering already knows the significance of that.

⭐Recently during some time off and a personal retreat I took, I was able to read through a classic work of much renown. The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. Kempis was a German medieval Christian monk who was born in the late 14th century. His work “The Imitation of Christ” is one of the most widely read Christian spiritual books ever written and 2nd only to the Bible. 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. Kempis’s “The Imitation of Christ” is a spiritual classic and considered by many to be a must read for any follower of Christ.There are many variations of this book so choosing a translation that reads well can be challenging. Personally I used the edition that went along with the audible edition. This way I could read and/or listen while reflecting. (See Featured Image for audio edition used).The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis itself is a work of meditation; it could take a many years to process fully through and is a resource to which returning thoughtfully and prayerfully makes more sense of the author’s intention in writing it. It has, however, an internal logic of its own; it comprises 114 chapters in four books. In it we are called to imitate the way of Christ, to learn from his life and virtues so that we in turn might reflect them to others. ‘Let us make it, then, our constant practice to meditate upon the life of Christ’As Kemsis himself once wrote; ‘Do not be influenced by the importance of the writer, and whether his learning be great or small; but let love of pure truth draw you to read. Do not inquire, “Who said this?” but pay attention to what is said’.The Imitation of Christ is not just one book; it is a collection of resources now compiled into one book. The Imitation includes four books that vary in both length (book two has only 12 chapters, and book three has 59) and themes. Book one contains “useful reminders for the spiritual life.” Book two contains “suggestions drawing one toward the inner life.” Book three includes advice “of inner comfort.” And book four is “the book on the sacrament.”Books one and two are full of practical and straightforward advice for spiritual growth. For example, Thomas has no patience with the vanities of this world (including things as simple as self-praise), and asserts that spiritual progress is possible here on earth. Thomas admonishes, “by working a little now, you will find great rest later” (p. 30). Such work includes patiently enduring suffering, which is crucial to spiritual progress. That patience includes putting up with others’ faults — a practice equally appropriate in a medieval monastery or a modern business office.Books three and four take a new tone. Instead of practical advice, these books offer an exchange of intimate words between Jesus and an unnamed disciple. Sometimes these exchanges read like a worshipful prayer and response, and other times the content reads like a simple dialogue. It is believed that the unnamed disciple in this dialogue is Kempis himself and that this dialogue is his own conversation with God. Sometimes called the Devotio Moderno, the adepts of the movement stressed the inner life of the individual, an emphasis which the Church has not always encouraged.

⭐The Imitation of Christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. The core message of the work is humility, and for Christians to shut out the world and deny himself. It also discusses the importance of the Sacrament of Eucharist. I was drawn to this book after reading St Therese of Lisieux’s ‘Story of a Soul’. St Therese was clearly greatly inspired by Kempis’ work, and lived her life based on the teachings of this book.At superficial level, one might have the idea that the teachings in this book require holiness of the highest degree. A disciple of Christ would need to shut out the world and devote himself only to Jesus. Not all humans can fully shut out the world. Upon deeper reading, I see this book more as a devotion rather than a list of rules. At the core of its message is the urge for Christians to live in humility and humbleness, and to glorify nothing and no one but God. That God Himself is enough. I understand that un-holiness is a nature of the disciple, that I am unholy, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t be close to Jesus and live with Him and He in me. My lack of holiness is the very reason why I should follow Him and remain close to him. Reading this book makes me realise that many of the unhappiness in this world is actually caused by human’s desire to glorify himself and the world, rather than God. If humans can learn to live in humility and ascribe glory to God and God alone, many people can be spared from a lot of sufferings and heartaches.The book contains not only teachings, but also prayers that I can use daily as my own. I’m very blessed by this book, and would recommend it to all Christians seeking to live a holy life.

⭐For those wishing to develop their Christian faith and to deepen their understanding of what it is meant to be truly Christ-like (a lofty and challenging aspiration in this 21st century) then this little book of Thomas A Kempis (1380 – 1471) may be for you. But be warned! This is not for the feeble or fickle or novice Catholic/Christian. Its ‘simplicity’ will strip you of many preconceived (prideful) notions that you are leading a good life and that you are a good Christian (I suspect many will find this reality check a little too much to handle and will put this little book down after only reading the first couple of pages). A reminder that the path to Sainthood is never an easy path.I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take their Christian faith more seriously.

⭐I agree with the publisher’s blurb that this is the best translation from the original Latin – at least that I personally have come across.Credit must be given not only to Ronald Knox, but also Michael Oakley. 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. However serious illness overtook, and it was his wish for classical scholar Michael Oakley to complete the translation for publication – by implication following seamlessly in the Knox style. According to the 1959 Foreward over half was rendered by Oakley, from chapter 5 of Book II onwards.Books III and IV of The Imitation hold a particularly vibrant dynamic. A touching and disarming conversation between TAK the disciple and Christ (‘The Learner’ and ‘The Beloved’). This type of spiritual writing has been termed interior locution – putting into words the feeling of what God is saying to the soul. It is there for instance in the 14th Century contemporary Julian of Norwich. It could also be termed ‘the gift of prophecy’ – cf. 1 Corinthians 12 etc. It can be found in many other Christian and spiritual publications, such as the 20th Century ‘God Calling’.For me the absolute purple patch of the whole work is Chapter 21 of Book III – outstanding. I have uploaded audio renditions of this to You Tube.If you are looking for a good version of The Imitation, my advice is track down this benchmark Knox-Oakley. And bravo to Ignatius Press for republishing the formerly out of print Burns and Oates.

⭐After the Bible this book is in my opinion one of the finest Spiritual books ever written. It is also known as “The Fifth Gospel” such is its ability to give true perspective to Christian living. This is very necessary in this modern world where real values have become somewhat confused.It is written in short easily absorbed Chapters but each Chapter contains genuine Spiritual wisdom and is an uplifting reading experience.It may be read from cover to cover or it may be dipped into at random as each Chapter is complete in itself.Would highly recommend this book by this publisher. There are other published versions of The Imitation of Christ as I have not read these I cannot comment on them but this is my fourth or fifth purchase of this version. I buy them for replacements to my own copies which I have given to friends or bought as gifts for friends.You will not be disappointed.

⭐Kindle version of a religious classic. This is a wonderful little book to have on kindle as admirers of this book would want to carry it everywhere. Although centuries old, it is still remarkably relavang today in our modern society though written by a cloistered monk! Feel free to skip over the corporal mortification passages, I’m sure God doesn’t expect you to whip yourself to show penance, but a guide by which I believe anyone would imagine wanting to live their lives by. Peace, harmony, love, kindness, quietness, wisdom, respect and holiness.

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