Thomas A Kempis

L'Imitation de J sus-Christ (en latin De imitatione Christi) est une oeuvre anonyme de pi t chr tienne de la fin du xive si cle ou du d but du xve si cle, repr sentative d'une nouvelle exp rience spirituelle appel e devotio moderna qui a t illustr e par Jean de Ruysbroek. On attribue actuellement cette oeuvre Thomas a Kempis, c'est- -dire (si l'on traduit du latin) de Kempen (pr s de D sseldorf). La traduction de Pierre Corneille, publi e sous formes de livraisons entre 1651 et 1656 sous le titre L'Imitation de J sus-Christ, traduite et paraphras e en vers fran ais, par P. Corneille Paris, chez Robert II Ballard, en 1656, se r v le un extraordinaire succ s de librairie avec 2 300 ditions et pr s de 2.4 millions d'exemplaires en circulation la fin du xviiie si cle, ce qui en fait cette poque le livre le plus souvent imprim apr s la Bible. Le texte est divis en quatre parties: Avertissements utiles la vie spirituelle (admonitiones ad vitam spiritualem utiles) Avertissements entra nant la vie int rieure (admonitiones ad interna trahentes) De la consolation int rieure (de interna consolatione) Exhortation la sainte communion (de sacramento). L'oeuvre est assez simple et faite surtout d'aphorismes et de maximes sans aucune pr tention th ologique. Elle alimenta la d votion et la pri re de nombreuses g n rations de chr tiens, surtout des la cs, qui cherchaient dans leur vie quotidienne vivre en respectant les pr ceptes du Christ (d'o son titre). Elle suscite davantage de r serves aujourd'hui car certains estiment qu'elle donne trop d'importance l'humilit , la r signation et l'abn gation.

Originally published in 1908, this book presents an English translation of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (c.1380–1471), one of the most well-known Christian books of devotion. It will be of value to anyone with an interest in the writings of Kempis and the history of Christianity.

The Imitation of Christ (Latin: De Imitatione Christi) by Thomas Kempis is a Christian devotional book. It was first composed in Latin ca.1418-1427. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the Devotio Moderna movement, where Kempis was a member. The Imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the Bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Apart from the Bible, no book has been translated into more languages than the Imitation of Christ. The text is divided into four books, which provide detailed spiritual instructions: "Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life", "Directives for the Interior Life", "On Interior Consolation" and "On the Blessed Sacrament". The approach taken in the Imitation is characterized by its emphasis on the interior life and withdrawal from the world, as opposed to an active imitation of Christ by other friars. The book places a high level of emphasis on the devotion to the Eucharist as key element of spiritual life.

One of the most influential and well-loved books of Christianity, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis appears here in Penguin Classics in a new translation by Robert Jeffery, with an introduction by Max Von Habsburg, notes, a chronology and further reading. The Imitation of Christ is a passionate celebration of God's love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. With great personal conviction and deep humanity, Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) demonstrates the individual's reliance on God and on the words of Christ, and the futility of a life without faith, as well as exploring the ideas such as humility, compassion, patience and tolerance. Thomas spent some seventy years of his life in the reclusive environment of monasteries, yet in this astonishing work he demonstrates an encompassing understanding of human nature, while his writing speaks to readers of every age and every nation. Thomas à Kempis was born at Kempen near Dusseldorf in 1380. He received the priesthood in 1413. Thomas wrote many other devotional works besides The Imitation of Christ, his masterpiece, as well as biographies of Gerald Groote and Florentius Radewyn. He died in 1471. The Very Revd Robert Jeffery was born in 1935 and ordained in 1959. He has written on matters of Church history, spirituality, mission and ecumenism. In 1978, he became Archdeacon of Salop, and was Dean of Worcester from 1987-96 and subsequently Canon and Sub-Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. He retired in 2002 and is an Hon Doctor of Divinity of Birmingham University. Max von Habsburg is the author of Catholic and Protestant Translations of the Imitatio Christi 1425-1650 (2011).

The Imitation Of ChristBy Thomas a Kempis

Thomas a 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. 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 a must read for any ardent follower of Christianity. Thomas van Kempen or Thomas a Kempis; (c. 1380 - 25 July 1471) was a canon regular of the late medieval period and the author of The Imitation of Christ, which is one of the best known Christian books on devotion. His name means "Thomas of Kempen", his hometown, and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen. He also is known by various spellings of his family name: Thomas Haemerkken; Thomas Hammerlein; Thomas Hemerken and Thomas H merken. Cover photography by Paul Spremulli.

Let Jesus's example of holiness, humility and purity of heart be a companion on your own spiritual journey. Next to the Bible, The Imitation of Christ is the most widely read devotional work within the Christian community. Thought to be compiled by fifteenth-century cleric Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471), this spiritual classic focuses the contemporary God-seeker on a religion of the heart—a vital connection with God in our innermost being. It advocates the cultivation of virtues, like humility and purity of intention, by inviting the spirit of Jesus to dwell richly in our lives. It emphasizes the need to translate that life of love into daily action. Now you can experience the timeless wisdom of this spiritual classic with no previous knowledge of late medieval Christianity. This SkyLight Illuminations edition, based on John Wesley’s popular 1741 abridgment, renders these meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus in a way that is accessible to the contemporary reader. A substantive introduction and facing-page commentary places the work in its original context; clarifies the text’s roots in the Bible, the early Church, and medieval mysticism; and explains its influence—spanning five hundred years—on spiritual luminaries from saints to popes and its continuing significance today.

Let Jesus's example of holiness, humility and purity of heart be a companion on your own spiritual journey. Next to the Bible, The Imitation of Christ is the most widely read devotional work within the Christian community. Thought to be compiled by fifteenth-century cleric Thomas a Kempis (c. 1380 1471), this spiritual classic focuses the contemporary God-seeker on a religion of the heart a vital connection with God in our innermost being. It advocates the cultivation of virtues, like humility and purity of intention, by inviting the spirit of Jesus to dwell richly in our lives. It emphasizes the need to translate that life of love into daily action. Now you can experience the timeless wisdom of this spiritual classic with no previous knowledge of late medieval Christianity. This SkyLight Illuminations edition, based on John Wesley s popular 1741 abridgment, renders these meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus in a way that is accessible to the contemporary reader. A substantive introduction and facing-page commentary places the work in its original context; clarifies the text s roots in the Bible, the early Church, and medieval mysticism; and explains its influence spanning five hundred years on spiritual luminaries from saints to popes and its continuing significance today."

Published in over 6,000 editions before the year 1900, The Imitation of Christ has been more widely read than any other book in human history except the Bible itself. It has been called “the most influential work in Christian literature,” “a landmark in the history of the human mind,” and “the fifth gospel.” Now, and for the first time, comes an exhaustive edition of this classic work, a work that is bound to become a classic in its own right. Fr. John-Julian introduces Kempis and his Imitation in ways that will shock many who have read the book before. For example, Protestant devotees to the book may be astounded to discover that Thomas was not only a Roman Catholic but an ardent traditionalist contemplative monk as well. And devoted Catholic readers may be amazed to discover that he was a radical moral reformer and part of a group twice formally charged with heresy. Notes and introductions to every aspect of The Imitation open the meaning of this classic to the next generation of readers.

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis is the most widely read Christian devotional book next to the Bible. It was written in Latin five hundred years ago and now brings comfort to millions of readers in over fifty languages. The Imitation is based on meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus, and emphasises the interior life and the centrality of the Eucharist rather than an active imitation of Christ. This version has an index of Biblical references, an index of names and an index of subjects.