Customer Reviews

The Imitation Of Christ

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

 

 

I like the content of this book; however, the interpretation is hard to follow. I bought another with an interpretation that was easier to understand.

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.

It is true that this book is second only to the Bible in terms of readership but also in inspiration. And it may seem that contemporary English versions (and they are available) would be more relevant and easier to read than this "old fashioned" way of speaking and writing, with the "thou"s and "thou wilt"s. But this way of writing is actually more conducive to capturing the original flavor of what the original must have been like. Written in the 1400s by Thomas Kempis, it was written by a monk FOR MONKS, as a kind of handbook. But nowadays its relevance is for all of us. I recommend this particular translation much much more than the contemporary English versions. This one takes the text to a higher level, in my opinion.

Such a great book; the starting point for deep thought and for change (by acting on it); sort of a handbook to bring about the changes we desperately need in our lives to be truly happier.

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.