The Confessions/The Imitation of Christ

by Augustine of Hippo, Thomas à Kempis

Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure, immediately he becometh restless. The proud and the avaricious man are never at rest; while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace. The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and trifling matters. It is hard for him who is weak in spirit, and still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense, to withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires. -from The Imitation of Christ Here, in one volume, are two of the most influential works of Christian spirituality and The Confessions of St. Augustine and The Imitation of Christ. Aurelius Augustinus, aka SAINT AUGUSTINE (354-430) was bishop of Hippo, today called Bona, in Algeria. Before his conversion to Christianity, however, he lead a wild and licentious youth in Carthage and later studied philosophy for years in Milan. His Confessions, in which he begs forgiveness from God for his sins and sets himself entirely to devotion to God, is not only a foundational work of Western theology, it is also one of the earliest autobiographies, offering keen insight into the workings of the medieval mind. Written in Latin in the early 15th century, The Imitation of Christ is perhaps second only to the Bible in importance in Christian thought. Thomas Hemerken, aka THOMAS À KEMPIS (1380-1471), was a Christian monk and mystic from Kempen, Germany, and he intended this patchwork of medieval mysticism for the most sincere and dedicated of believers-monks, nuns-but lay Christians find wisdom in his encouragement and teaching of a direct path to a relationship with God. Also available from Cosimo Saint Augustine's The City of God OF INTEREST readers of Christian theology, students of medieval literature AUTHOR British clergyman and translator EDWARD BOUVERIE PUSEY (1800-1882) was one of the most influential figures in the Anglican church in the 19th century, formulated theology and doctrine that radically altered the practice of Christianity in England. British author WILLIAM BENHAM (1831-1910) also wrote Old St. Paul's Cathedral and The Benham Book of A Practical Treatise on the Laws of Scientific Hand Reading.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Classics, Christianity, Theology, Philosophy, Faith

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Early church father and philosopher Saint Augustine served from 396 as the bishop of Hippo in present-day Algeria and through such writings as the autobiographical Confessions in 397 and the voluminous City of God from 413 to 426 profoundly influenced Christianity, argued against Manichaeism and Donatism, and helped to establish the doctrine of original sin.

An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.

People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."

The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."

Santo Agostinho

Reviews

[Tyler J McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - The Confessions are always wonderful, in it I feel we all become more aware of the human condition to the divine and are horrified and comforted by what we see. The Imitation of Christ was interesting; I felt like I read 200 pages of scolding by a father to a son. Yet, it remained encouraging in many moments, and I feel I would be best served as a spiritual "life raft" of sorts. When struggling with anything, a quick two-page exhortation would be edifying to the soul and reorienting to the struggler. Despite this, however, I found a lot of the writing to be directed towards a monastic lifestyle, away from the active role we are supposed to play in life. Really interesting pairing of these two readings.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for a class and I'm glad I did. It's not easy going but a great look into the thinking of the day.

[Robert Engle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Confessions is quite well written for a religious book. Probably because Augustine was quite well educated before falling into idiocy. His arguments against his previous beliefs apply to his later beliefs, he just chooses to believe one then the other. It seems a big part of his conversion was the sincerity of the Christians he was talking too. Just go to a UFO convention if you want to know why sincerity is a bad judge of truth.
The Imitation of Christ is a book of horrendous advise. Chapter after chapter of bad advice. I went chapter by chapter in both the Benham translation and Dover Thrift Edition and am glad I did. While the Benham was harder to read most all the time there were quite a few chapters where it was much clearer than the Dover.

[Harry Man · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the content somewhat but the old English tended to slow me down at times. What I did enjoy was reading the thoughts of an early Christian and to see the struggles that are no different than what we struggle with today but also how Christ is the same! Glad I read it but probably read it again.

[Kathryn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for confessions

[Kimberly]

The Confessions of St Augustine is amazing. This book is important for Christians to read, because he who has been designated a Saint had a pretty colorful background before his conversion. This book is important for history lovers in general because it gives many insights into life in the late Roman Empire. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis ... I'll let you know what I think of it when I finish reading it.

[David Redden · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm not down with all the theology, the Confessions of St. Augustine is interesting and inspiring in a way that kind of sneaks up on you. Imitation of Christ is illuminating for sure in the sense that it provides excellent insight into influential religious thought at the time. The focus on mortification made it difficult for me to hang, but I made it through and I'm glad I did.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saint Augustine of Hippo gives a history of his life in the form of a long montolog to God. In it, he examines the different stages of life and the actions of people as they mature. At times very difficult to read, it still helped me look at my faith as a Catholic. The Bible is easier to read.