The Imitation of Christ (Vintage Spiritual Classics)
by Thomas à Kempis
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Thomas à Kempis was a Renaissance Roman Catholic monk born in Germany in 1380. His writings include sermons, meditations and tracts, and are reflective and prayerful in character. His The Imitation of Christ is considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in Christianity—theologian John Wesley and clergyman John Newton (who penned Amazing Grace) both list it among the works that influenced them at their conversion.
After studying the original Latin text and corresponding English tran...more
After studying the original Latin text and corresponding English tran...more
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Read in April, 2007
recommends it for:
monks
Note: I'm not reviewing the Dover Thrift Edition.
I've had a nineteenth century edition of this book out from the library since 2002 or 2003, when I started reading it as part of my effort to read religious classics. Misplaced it for a couple years and finished it just now. Unfortunately, I now read the introduction and find that our kindly 19th century Protestant editor/translator chap has kindly excised anything in Thomas a' Kempis' work that might "offend" by being too "pap...more
I've had a nineteenth century edition of this book out from the library since 2002 or 2003, when I started reading it as part of my effort to read religious classics. Misplaced it for a couple years and finished it just now. Unfortunately, I now read the introduction and find that our kindly 19th century Protestant editor/translator chap has kindly excised anything in Thomas a' Kempis' work that might "offend" by being too "pap...more
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recommended to Karen V. by:
my beloved husband
recommends it for: those concerned with the inner life
recommends it for: those concerned with the inner life
This book is going to forever be in either of two places in my home; my coffee table or my bedside. Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of Christ's love. Thomas a Kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. It is a book that calls one deeper and farther in to the heart of God.Psalm 42:7 sums it up: "Deep calls unto deep at the sound of thy waterfalls; All thy breakers and thy waves have rolled over me.
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Read in March, 2008
Wonderful, Wonderful!!!! I wish that I would have read this book years ago. The book itself was written 600 years ago, but could have been written just for me. Truely a timeless book about living a Christain life. The book points out our failures as humans, as we might think that we aren't good enough or perfect enough, to be accepted by God. The author explains the deep love that God has for us, and how he understands our situations. It is good book for anyone with or without challening circums...more
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My favorite Catholic devotional writer and a spiritual giant who will lead you into new territory with Christ. Some of the material in the last part of the book deals with the eucharist, so it isn't of great interest to me and probably to most of my Protestant friends. Please don't let that dissuade you from reading this; it is a classic and will reward you greatly.
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Written in the late Middle Ages/early Renaissance by the monk Thomas a' Kempis and is still read by thousands every year. Reading it along with "Mere Christianity" and "Pensees" would profit all meditative Christians. Contains the quote:
"At the Day of Judgment we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done."
"At the Day of Judgment we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done."
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I love this book because it's something you can pick up with a worry in mind and flip to solid scripture teaching on it. It's broken into little books on spiritual council, directives, consolation and talks about the blessed sacrament. It really helps you keep in mind how you should be forming yourself to the will of God.
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yaa...katakanlah, ini adalah alkitab kedua saya.
renungan-renungan ini sudah lama dikenal dalam terjemahan bahasa indonesia dan jawa ['mengikuti jejak kristus' dan 'napak pada dalem sang kristus'].
ini tadi nemu di lemari lama. masukin aja di sini, buat mengingat betapa istimewanya buku ini bagi saya.
renungan-renungan ini sudah lama dikenal dalam terjemahan bahasa indonesia dan jawa ['mengikuti jejak kristus' dan 'napak pada dalem sang kristus'].
ini tadi nemu di lemari lama. masukin aja di sini, buat mengingat betapa istimewanya buku ini bagi saya.
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I come back to this book all the time for its basic depth and relationship to God teaching. It can be read as a daily meditation or in larger chunks for inspiration. This is good to have on a three-day retreat with some organic orange juice and celtic music playing in the background.
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
every Christian
I read this book over and over again. Every morning when I wake up, I read a chapter (1-3 pages). It gets me out of bed and helps me dedicate my day to God.
I haven't really read any other translations except for a chapter here and there but I really like this translation.
I haven't really read any other translations except for a chapter here and there but I really like this translation.
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Read in June, 2008
This book took me forever to finish, not because it's not good, but because it reads more like a daily devotional book. I just read a page or two at a time. The message of this book is wonderful for anyone--to live your life in such a way as to imitate Christ.
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
Christians
This is a great book; it is so applicable to life in general. It convicted me on so many counts... I can't begin to enumerate them. There are so many ways that we ought to live, that we fail at, especially as Americans... I could recommend this book to anyone.
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I actually began reading this because St. Therese mentioned it so often in her "Story of a Soul" autobiography. Now I try to read a chapter a day and it often amazes me how Kempis will speak to something that pertains so much to my life in the 21st century...
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone needing to deepen their faith
This is my book for lectio divina (in a nutshell, prayerful reading). Second to the Bible in popularity, the Imitation is a gem. There are many, many short sentences that one can reflect on and find ways to root out sinful tendencies and grow closer to God.
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Everyone naturally desires knowledge, but of what use is knowledge itself without the fear of God? (p.28)
Jesus has many who love His Kingdom in Heaven, but few who bear His Cross. (p. 83)
Of what use is a long life, if we amend so little? (p. 58)
Jesus has many who love His Kingdom in Heaven, but few who bear His Cross. (p. 83)
Of what use is a long life, if we amend so little? (p. 58)
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Read in September, 2007
On the one hand, A Kempis has some great points and some great insight into many theological matters. On the other hand, as a Catholic monk from the 15th century, I have some serious qualms with several other theological issues he addresses.
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Read in June, 2007
I have an older version that is written in King James' English. So it's harder to understand. And it's not doing it for me. Just not the kind of spirituality I aspire to. I don't need to prostrate myself and sumbit myself anymore.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
not afraid of brokeness
Gosh, are you willing to pay to the cost for holiness? It takes work to die to the mal-inented desires of your heart. Are you willing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus disciples for the last 2000 years? It is possible.
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Read in January, 2006
An interesting Catholic devotional from the period immediately preceding the Reformation, which shows that contrary to come reformation histories Catholicism was not "dead," but theologically corrupt.
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recommended to booklady by:
high school teacher
recommends it for: Anyone and everyone!
recommends it for: Anyone and everyone!
Have read this book so many times I have lost count. It is WONDERFUL!!! After the Bible it is the most popular book in Christianity and a well-deserved/earned reputation too.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.29 (251 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.37 (155 ratings) number of reviews: 37popular shelves
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"If God were our one and only desire we would not be so easily upset when our opinions do not find outside acceptance."
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