Customer Reviews

Imitation Of Christ (Moody Classics)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A great book for those who have never understood humility. As great as this book is, it reflects little of an understanding of what might be called 'the apprehended grace of God'. Lots of "I am so terribly unworthy". Very little of "I am so profoundly grateful for the grace of God by which I am worthy in the eyes of the Father'. Don't get me wrong, this book is a gem, and of profound value to all Christians. A lot of so called Christians seem to never have experienced anything even close to mindset of unworthiness from which they were "saved" (and if so, what were they "saved" from?). This book might get some folks on their knees asking God to teach their hearts a humility, as displayed in this book, that they missed out on.

"Imitation of Christ" is one of the most widely read Christian spiritual works of all time. In the Middle Ages only the Bible had a wider readership. After you start reading it, it becomes immediately obvious why this would be the case: its approachable style and the perennial good advice that emanates from its every page make this an incredibly readable and inspiring book. The book is not strictly speaking an invitation for modeling one's life on particular historical events in the life of Jesus. This is no "What Would Jesus Do" manual. Rather, it's a distillation of the wisdom and teachings of Christianity as presented primarily in the Bible and the early Church Fathers. The result is a fascinating work of spiritual insight that has proven to have timeless practical relevance to the lives of Christians throughout the centuries.

The book also places a strong emphasis on growing one's faith within the Church. The last part of the book is almost entirely dedicated to the veneration and reflection on the Eucharist. Unfortunately, in recent years there has been a diminishing appreciation of Church's sacramental gifts, even within Christian communities that had traditionally placed a great emphasis on this particular way of getting closer to Christ. Hopefully reading this book may rekindle some of that appreciation in a reader who has not thought about it much lately.

Whatever your Christian tradition may be, you will take a lot from this insightful and inspirational book. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in deepening their spiritual life.

Thomas a Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ" is a perennial spiritual classic that many have heard of but fewer have read. Surprisingly, considering I'm a 21st century Protestant (alright, I'm an Anglican and a Reformed Catholic), it's a book that I find provides a lot of spiritual nourishment.

"The Imitation of Christ" is divided into 4 Books and 114 chapters. The Books are titled: "Admonitions Useful for a Spiritual Life," "Admonitions Leading to the Inner Life," "The Inward Speaking of Christ to a Faithful Soul," and "Which Treats Especially of the Sacrament of the Altar."

It is a cornucopia of devotional material, some of it better than others. What a Kempis does well is place before the believer the continual need to seek Christ above all things. A Kempis is definitely on the ascetic side, which is not surprising since he was a monk. He makes a constant plea for denying oneself to follow Christ, a plea that many contemporary Christians and churches need to hear. This is not an "inspirational," "I'm OK you're OK," "God has to bless me with riches" kind of a book!

Much of what a Kempis offers is practical spiritual advice, such as advice on "the profit of adversity" or the importance of knowing God and not just studying about Him. This advice is often very pithy and useful, and he definitely gives the soul a lot to meditate one. Another thing a Kempis does well is to keep pointing us toward eternity and reminding us that this world is not all there is. This, too, is a helpful antidote to our modern lives. One of the best and most overlooked features of this book is the wonderful, deep prayers that are scattered throughout the work. Some of these are truly moving and should be prayed more often.

However, there are a few reasons why I can't give the book 5 stars. Sometimes the advice sounds a little like Polonius from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Other times, it's clear that a Kempis is too world-denying in his faith. As a pastor, I am constantly counseling people to deny themselves and take up their cross. On the other hand, a Kempis counsels us too often to retreat from the world.

Sometimes a Kempis advice is too moralistic and even legalistic in that his advice can seem like a list of things we have to do to merit God's favor. At times there is too much of a tone of "You must do this to find favor with God" and not enough of the grace of God. And sometimes, coming from a medieval monastic world, his advice is not very good for people who have to live in the world.

You might think that Book IV, on "The Sacrament of the Altar," would be offensive to non- Roman Catholics. Yet most of what he says is acceptable to most Protestants, especially those from more historic traditions, such as Anglicans and Lutherans. I find that is spurs me on, above all, to reverence Christ and seek Him.

In summary, there is still a place for a book like "The Imitation of Christ" in the world of devotional books today, for it still has the ability to help lead us to and to imitate Christ.

This wonderful book was written by the priest Thomas a Kempis in the 1400's and is very reminecient of the Apostle Paul's writings by encouraging readers to live a simple spiritual life. It recommends that peace is found in the heart of the humble and that in overcoming the ego you overcome the world. Joy is found in a quiet conscience and you are only happy when you have done what is right. This may also be the original source of the advice to choose the less of two evils. It also warns that pleasure and desire carry the seeds of sorrow. This book is spiritual focusing on living the inner life and not getting entangled with the world. A must read for all Christians or anyone on a spiritual path.

I received an edition of Imitation of Christ which was a different edition of "The Imitation of Christ" than the item pictured. Also the manner in which the book I received was written was totally different that the one pictured as I had already read the edition pictured.

I do not recall being given on opportunity to provide a review earlier.