The Imitation of Christ

by Thomas à Kempis

Publisher:

Faithlife

, 1996

Overview

What does it mean to be a Christian? According to Thomas à Kempis, the Christian must completely imitate the life and example of Jesus Christ. In this classic treasure of Christian instruction, Thomas à Kempis challenges the believer to look intently upon the life of Christ and live in the pattern He established. This spiritual manual begins with the proper outward expressions of faith, moving quickly to the instruction of the reader's spiritual formation. All the while insisting that true imitation of Christ can only occur when the heart and mind are united to Christ.

Contents

Top Highlights

“‘The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing.’² Try, moreover, to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God.” (Page 2)

“DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God’s will.” (Page 9)

“When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify.” (Page 16)

“A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him experience in many things, for the more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in all things.” (Page 9)

“‘Resist the beginnings; remedies come too late, when by long delay the evil has gained strength.’ First, a mere thought comes to mind, then strong imagination, followed by pleasure, evil delight, and consent. Thus, because he is not resisted in the beginning, Satan gains full entry. And the longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.” (Pages 21–22)

Product Details

• Title: The Imitation of Christ
• Author: Thomas à Kempis
• Publisher: Faithlife
• Print Publication Date: 1996
• Logos Release Date: 2001
• Pages: 284
• Era: era:medieval
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Meditations; Spiritual life › Catholic Church--Early works to 1800
• Resource ID: LLS:20.20.1
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-11T15:27:44Z

About Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471) was a late-Medieval Catholic monk and the probable author of The Imitation of Christ—a classic in Christian literature and one of the best-known books on Christian 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 Hämerken.

As he traveled with his brother to attend school in the Netherlands, he was introduced to the Brethren of the Common Life—followers of Gerard Groote's Modern Devotion movement. After finishing school, he joined the Mount St. Agnes monastery, where he spent the rest of his life in devotion and prayer.

Thomas' sermons, meditations, and prayers—compiled in The Works of Thomas à Kempis (7 vols) have influenced many Christian writers.