The Imitation of Christ

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( 25,858 ratings, 1,536 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis is a spiritual guide focusing on the internal development of a devout life. It emphasises humility, simplicity, and the pursuit of perfection through Christ-like living. The work serves as a practical manual for self-reflection and spiritual growth, offering timeless wisdom for individuals seeking deeper faith and moral integrity.
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This book may appeal to you if you're seeking a deep exploration of Christian spirituality and practical guidance for spiritual growth. Written in a timeless and accessible style, it focuses on humility, personal devotion, and a contemplative life, offering wisdom that has resonated through the ages for those looking to enrich their faith journey.

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The Imitation of Christ

Demonstrates the individual's reliance on God and on the words of Christ, and the futility of a life without faith, as well as exploring ideas such as humility, compassion, patience and tolerance. In this book, the author demonstrates an encompassing understanding of human nature, while his writing speaks to readers of every age and every nation.

One of the most influential and well-loved books of Christianity, The Imitation of Christ is a passionate celebration of God's love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A new translation of one of the best-loved and most important books of Christianity, by the Very Revd. Robert Jeffery.

One of the most influential and well-loved books of Christianity, The Imitation of Christ is a passionate celebration of God's love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years.

With great personal conviction and deep humanity, Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) demonstrates the individual's reliance on God and on the words of Christ, and the futility of a life without faith. He explores ideas such as humility, compassion, patience, and tolerance.

Thomas spent some seventy years of his life in the reclusive environment of monasteries, yet in this astonishing work, he demonstrates an encompassing understanding of human nature, while his writing speaks to readers of every age and every nation.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Thomas à Kempis's The Imitation of Christ is recognised as a deeply challenging and influential work, though it is not considered an easy read. It is highly revered, second only to the Bible in its widespread readership among Christians, as noted by Thomas Carlyle. Professor John van Engen highlights its significant impact on Western Christian devotion and spirituality.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141191768

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 February 2013

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Max von Habsburg
  • Translated by The Very Revd. Robert Jeffery

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 224g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Thomas a Kempis was born at Kempen near Dusseldorf in 1380. At thirteen he left the local grammar school to join his elder brother John, who had attached himself to the Congregation of the Common Life. In 1399 Thomas' mentor Florentius allowed him to travel to Zwolle to seek admission to the new monastery at Mount St Agnes. He was professed in 1406 and received the priesthood in 1413. Thomas wrote many other devotional works besides The Imitation of Christ, his masterpiece, as well as biographies of Gerald Groote and Florentius Radewyn. He died in 1471. The Very Revd Robert Jeffery was born in 1935 and ordained in 1959. He has written on matters of Church history, spirituality, mission and ecumenism. In 1978, he became Archdeacon of Salop, and was Dean of Worcester from 1987-96 and subsequently Canon and Sub-Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. He retired in 2002 and is an Hon Doctor of Divinity of Birmingham University. Max von Habsburg is the author of Catholic and Protestant Translations of the Imitatio Christi 1425-1650 (2011).

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