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Jonathan's Reviews > Imitation of Christ
Imitation of Christ
by Thomas à Kempis
by Thomas à Kempis
Weak sauce.
It was okay, but his theology (his view of truth) is slightly askew in some important areas. He focuses mainly on the contemplative life, humility, and his worthlessness. He also focused on Jesus Christ as his only salvation and satisfaction; this was the best part of the book.
However, his three other emphases (as listed above) are so reflected on that I think he redefines the terms or if he doesn't redefine the terms he places an inordinate emphasis upon them (rather it might be better to say that he places them in positions of highest authority, such that the glory of Jesus Christ seems to be diminished, logically, in his view).
He focuses so entirely on the inward life that he forgets that Christians are to be amongst the people, pointing others to Jesus Christ, and encouraging fellow believers.
He focuses so much on humility that it seems to become a source of pride for him, that humility is more to be sought than loving God and standing up for truth when it is needed.
He focuses so much on his own worthlessness (which is true), nevertheless he seems to revel in his worthlessness, taking pride in his worthlessness, instead of rejoicing in the fact of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ. Our worthlessness should never become a source of pride, that is sick.
And finally, because of these misplaced emphases, Kempis seems to rest more in his own efforts to be humble and loving than in Christ's work, than in Jesus Christ. Kempis seems to steal the glory of salvation away from Christ. I say seems to, because he does acknowledge that only Christ can save, apart from Christ no one can be saved. But his words throughout this devotional seem to belie his own stated hope in Jesus Christ alone. He seems to contradict himself.
This book was okay. It does not live up to its billing as the best devotional next to the Bible. Sorry Kempis, I love contemplating too and humility, but they are not gods to be worshiped and bowed down to.
It was okay, but his theology (his view of truth) is slightly askew in some important areas. He focuses mainly on the contemplative life, humility, and his worthlessness. He also focused on Jesus Christ as his only salvation and satisfaction; this was the best part of the book.
However, his three other emphases (as listed above) are so reflected on that I think he redefines the terms or if he doesn't redefine the terms he places an inordinate emphasis upon them (rather it might be better to say that he places them in positions of highest authority, such that the glory of Jesus Christ seems to be diminished, logically, in his view).
He focuses so entirely on the inward life that he forgets that Christians are to be amongst the people, pointing others to Jesus Christ, and encouraging fellow believers.
He focuses so much on humility that it seems to become a source of pride for him, that humility is more to be sought than loving God and standing up for truth when it is needed.
He focuses so much on his own worthlessness (which is true), nevertheless he seems to revel in his worthlessness, taking pride in his worthlessness, instead of rejoicing in the fact of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ. Our worthlessness should never become a source of pride, that is sick.
And finally, because of these misplaced emphases, Kempis seems to rest more in his own efforts to be humble and loving than in Christ's work, than in Jesus Christ. Kempis seems to steal the glory of salvation away from Christ. I say seems to, because he does acknowledge that only Christ can save, apart from Christ no one can be saved. But his words throughout this devotional seem to belie his own stated hope in Jesus Christ alone. He seems to contradict himself.
This book was okay. It does not live up to its billing as the best devotional next to the Bible. Sorry Kempis, I love contemplating too and humility, but they are not gods to be worshiped and bowed down to.
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| 10/30/2016 | marked as: | read | ||
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Jerry
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rated it 5 stars
Jul 19, 2014 10:22AM
Weak sauce???? Says alot more about you than the book.
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Jerry wrote: "Weak sauce???? Says alot more about you than the book."Yes, my review is pretty strong, direct. And I would change the tone of this review, if I were to rewrite it.
But, I think, my problems with the book would remain. I think Thomas Kempis was grounding his humility in himself and not in Jesus. That was the impression I had when I read this book.
I think, perhaps, you are also misinterpreting the tone of my review too. I was frustrated with Kempis' book because of the above, but I was not out for blood... :)
God Bless.
Jonathan wrote: . . . I would change the tone of this review, if I were to rewrite it. . . I think, perhaps, you are also misinterpreting the tone of my review too.OK, fair enough. It's just surprising to hear the word 'weak' applied to such an exacting work.
Might it be more fair to assume that your impression of Imitation is colored by an Evangelical belief that we must do nothing ourselves, as that would detract from the finished work of Jesus?
pax et bonum
"...is colored by an Evangelical belief that we must do nothing ourselves..."That is along the same line of thought...
It is that Kempis really does seem to find his identity in being humble rather than finding his identity in Jesus Christ. And I think this is a logical result for not trusting in the work of Christ alone.
But when we switch from finding our identity in Christ, to finding our identity in Christ plus something else, even if it is humility, well, the virtue ceases to be virtue and Christ is lost. Humility becomes another vehicle for pride.
This is why I used the phrase "weak sauce," because trying to find our identity in Christ-plus rather than in Christ alone, well, it is heart-destroying and soul-crushing. I desire to show my faith in my works, but I have no desire to attempt to share in the creation of my faith or even in the continued sustenance of my faith in the sense that it is I who am the originator of the creating and sustaining of the faith in me. Only God is good, Jesus said, so if that be so, how can I add to the work of Christ, and how can I add to the work of God in me? It is his work, not mine, even as I obey him and seek to follow him I know that it is his work in me. So I trust in Christ alone and I find my identity only in him. He will sustain me, he will complete the good work which he has begun in me.
OK, understood. I likewise shared these sentiments at one point in my life, but now believe the traditional - i.e, 'Catholic' - approach is more time-tested and therefore more likely to be pleasing to God. I don't wish to beat this point to death, but just to repeat that while I now understand your objections to the spirituality of 'works', that certainly doesn't make this book 'weak', but merely offensive to your theological point of view.
I was not offended by Kempis' words, I was only hurt by them. They took me away from Jesus, rather than to Jesus. They made me feel like I needed to rely upon my own self-abnegation instead of Christ's humiliation at the cross, resurrection from the dead, and his sustaining grace in my life. And that was deadening to my soul. Sucked the hope right out of my heart.For me this wasn't, isn't a point of view, so much as it is about life and death. My life and/or my death. Hope or despair.
But maybe I will read his book again, this discussion has made me want to take another look just to see if I could find more good in his book. It's been 5 years.
Peace.
Actually, I shouldn't say I wasn't at all offended by his words. I think we should take offense at lies, but we should show grace and give grace (and truth) in return instead of vengeance. I could have been more gracious in the way I worded my review.
