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The Imitation of Christ: The Inspirational Teachings of the 15th Century Monk, Thomas a Kempis (Sacred Texts)

The Imitation of Christ: The Inspirational Teachings of the 15th Century Monk, Thomas a Kempis (Sacred Texts)
From Watkins Publishing

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Product Description

This is the saintly Thomas a Kempis' classic guide to spiritual and religious life. It has been loved and revered by devout Christians, throughout the ages. Transcending all sectarian divisions, it emphasizes the importance of the inward journey. It is translated by Stephen MacKenna, the famed translator of "Plotinus".

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #70273 in Books
  • Published on: 2006-09-15
  • Original language: English
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 320 pages

Customer Reviews

enlightening4
This little book written by an Augustinian Monk, in either the late 1300s or early 1400s (the date of birth of Thomas a Kempis is unknown), is charming in it's simplicity, beautiful in it's language and wise in it's advice for a life in immitation of Christ. Thomas a Kempis was Roman Catholic but his wisdom is multi-denominational. In the preface in my edition (possibly late 1800s) it states that Imitation of Christ was considered at the time to be second only to Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (after the Bible of course) as a spiritual text held in highest esteem by Bible scholars both professional and lay people alike.

Imitation of Christ is written in brief chapters or mini lectures on various aspects of being like Jesus, and they read rather like proverbs encouraging readers to not give in to temptations, keep wise council, avoid gossips and people who slander, finding peace within, that sort of thing. The text is smothered with Bible references in the super-script above the writing which readers can look up to study further, so apart from being in Old English it is quite modern in the layout, rather like any other Bible commentary book today.

Not a book to rush through5
I have read some of it, but it is taking some time as it is very thought provoking. I don't quite know where it sits in the great scheme of life, other than it will be somewhere below the Bible. In places, it's tone is a bit stern but it gets easier when one remembers that it was written a very long time ago. I think I will continue to take it slowly.