Many of the chapters are only a paragraph or more long so we decided to consolidate the chapters into their individual books. Imitating christ sermon by patrick oloughlin, philippians. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. The treatise of the imitation of christ appears to have been originally written in latin early in the fifteenth century. Of the imitation of christ four books new edition by a. The reflective devotions have been a heartening friend to great men such as thomas more, st. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 288 pages and is available in paperback format. Imitating christ means giving to others what christ has given to us if you have any encouragement from being united with christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of christ s love. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. In christian theology, the imitation of christ is the practice of following the example of jesus. 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. Download the imitation of christ has appeared in more editions and in more languages than any other book except the bible. 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. Book one, book two, book three and book four for the sake of convenience. Manuscripts of the latin version survive in considerable numbers all over western europe, and they, with the vast list of translations. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free at loyal books.
The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. 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 core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. Jesus has always many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who bear his cross. After reading the imitation of christ you will want to read the bible. The imitation of christ, thomas a kempis audio book.
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. The prayer of manasseh, which i mentioned in my comments, is included in this podcast. Whatever the identity of the author, he was a representative of the devotio moderna q. Pdf the imitation of christ book by thomas a kempis free. Its popularity was immediate, and it was printed 745 times before 1650. 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. On the royal road of the holy cross 1112 the chapters of the third book on inward consolation 1. The book contains 114 chapters separated into 4 books. Next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherished book in any language. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a spiritual classic and a must read for any ardent follower of christianity. Imitation of christ, latin imitatio christi, a christian devotional book written between 90 and 1440. It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis full audiobook.
You can also read the full text online using our ereader. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on jesus life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the christian life. Below are links to valuable and timeless catholic texts including those written by great saints and fathers and doctors of the church that you. Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls. For five hundred years, this gentle book, filled with the spirit of the love of. The book gives counsel to read the scriptures, statements about the uses of adversity, advice for. Free audio book that you can download in mp3, ipod and itunes format for your portable audio player.
The imitation of chirst greatest audio books youtube. 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. I picked up this book because i read that it was the second most important book a christian would ever read. Of the imitation of christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities. The imitation of christ audiobook by thomas a kempis 80. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. References to this concept and its practice are found in the earliest christian documents, e. Book 4, chapters 1118 of the imitation of christ by. The imitation includes four books that vary in both length book two has.
Samuel johnson once remarked to bowell that it must be a good book, as the world has opened its arms to receive it. 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. The imitation of christ is a devotional that is held in extremely high regard particularly in catholicism. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis translated by rev. T he imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. 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. Free traditional catholic books catholic tradition. Catholic church doctrines early works to 1800 subject. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. The one religious book that is second only to the bible in popularity. The imitation of christ multilanguage catholic ebook. The imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in christianity.
The imitation of chirst full audiobook by thomas a. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. Like the bible, the imitation of christ is not just one book. Apart from the bible, no book had been translated into more languages than the imitation of christ. William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest. The imitation of christ burgundy leather edition the. I recomend this book to christians and catholics that have trouble reading the bible. The first edition of the novel was published in 1418, and was written by thomas a kempis.
The imitation of christ optimized for kindle ebook. 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 is perhaps the most widely read christian devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis. Free download or read online the imitation of christ pdf epub book.
Illustrated with illuminated manuscripts paperback, 1984 other editions. Doctrinal, early works, imitation of jesus christ, jesus. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul. 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.
It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of god. Its no wonder sweet st therese had this with her always. There is also a citation from the apocryphal 1 macc. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, saith the lord. 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. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate.
According to the 1959 foreward over half was rendered by oakley, from chapter 5 of book ii onwards. The main characters of this classics, non fiction story are. He finds many to share his table, but few to take part in his fasting. A librivox recording of the imitation of christ, by thomas a kempis, translated by rev. The imitation of christ prayerbook size edition the. 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. 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. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. Thanks to technology, and perhaps due to christianitys low status in our modern liberal age, there is a fantastic treasure trove of good, traditional catholic books available for free or nearfree.
Spiritual life catholic church early works to 1800 subject. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Pdf the imitation of christ download ebook for free. 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. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book for the spiritual life, first written in latin around 1420 by thomas kempis 80 1471. 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 imitation of christ book 2, female voice, audio book.
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