"For a little reward men make a long journey; for eternal life many will scarce lift a foot once from the ground." ~ (Locations 1125-29)
In a world where prosperity gospel is preached without any shame, this book may require some serious contemplation. The idea of selling everything you own and then becoming a monk doesn't work for most people. So while this book was written for monks and the message is beautiful and healing, not all the ideas would work for say a person who is married or not fully committed to Christ in body and soul.
Each chapter is quite short and the author makes his points succinctly. Thomas A. Kempis was a keen observer of life and points out many pitfalls for the spiritually minded. He encourages readers to get rid of worldly desires and explains that carnal men have no peace. He explains how having a lot of knowledge profits you little if you are not living a holy life.
Thomas A. Kempis believed that you should have the mind of Christ in order to understand the words of Christ. This seems logical enough. However Thomas A. Kempis had a deep understanding of human nature and in this book he reveals how vulnerable we are and how we need to humbly admit our faults to God.
"...true peace of heart is to be found in resisting passion, not in yielding to it."
This book presents some very compelling arguments in favor of living a pure life. "Eternal Torments" are mentioned quite a few times. The main argument seems to be about how we should be able to resist temptation in this life as it will be much more difficult to endure eternal damnation. Thomas A. Kempis encourages the reader to focus on self-mastery and to unlearn evil habits. He especially encourages monks to fight against concupiscence. This advice might not work so well if you are married.
One of the things I loved about this book is the many prayers presented throughout the book. To put it mildly, lukewarm spirituality is not encouraged. There is a sense that the person praying these prayers is giving their entire life to God. I felt that these prayers were some of the most beautiful I've ever read.
This is a book that I will read again and again like a devotional book. It truly takes you through a variety of emotions from despair to elation. This book will show you how to have a penitent heart, filled with humbleness and the desire to commit more fully to a more spiritual life.
~The Rebecca Review
A second reading of the Digireads version years later produced this review:
Spiritual Guidance, Wisdom and Instructions on the Divine Life
“The Imitation of Christ” is Thomas a Kempis' (1380-1471) most famous work and some say it is almost as popular as the Bible. The reason may be that many Christians were seeking the joy and peace Thomas Kempis had discovered because of his faith. He lived in trying times when there were many wars and the black plague was still killing a lot of people. Instead of being overly worried about life's challenges, Thomas Kempis said: “That the highest wisdom is to cast the world behind us and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom.”
This book reads like the most wise holy advice you could encounter. There is much discussion on how to be holy and humble instead of being proud. A lot of the book resonated with my own personal experience of loving God and what I've seen in others' lives, good or bad.
While reading you have to remember that this book was originally written for monks and priests not married couples. So when he talks about not desiring human affection, that is not wrong in itself, but was a choice religious people have sometimes made in order to reach spiritual heights and rely on God alone. And when the author talks about “contempt of thyself” this seems to be more about getting angry at your sins not hating yourself.
Self-esteem is important because we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. So God does not require us to hate ourselves. And there is one instance where the author talks about giving up your opinion for the opinion of others. I'm not sure Jesus ever did that! It may be kind to do it, but it could also end up being the wrong opinion in regards to good and evil.
Also, for Protestants reading this Catholic book, Communion is an issue you have to deal with in this book. The sections read well but Protestants don't all believe that the bread and wine actually become Christ's body and blood. That is all at the end of the book so you can skip that section or believe as you will.
Thomas Kempis writes with inspired authority as one who knows the truth and is unashamed. He says: “Oh, grievous folly, to neglect the things which are profitable and necessary, and to give our minds to things which are curious and hurtful! Having eyes, we see not.”
Some of the topics this book covers include: inward consolation, man's judgment (why it is not important in the long run), avoiding gossip, how not to envy, renouncing the world, vain-glory, temptation, adversities, friendship, peace, avoiding having a carnal heart, self-mastery (one of the highest goals), grace, virtue, patience, rapture, purity, a happy death (what leads to it) and why we should avoid vain babbling. A lot of soul searching has to be done when reading about these topics.
Throughout the book I never felt like Thomas Kempis was talking down to the reader. He seems more like a kind brother giving spiritual advice to those who really want to become more like Jesus. Some of this book is written so Jesus' real words are slipped into the text with no chapter and verse. This makes for easy reading and it flows nicely. The voice in this book changes constantly which makes for a interesting reading experience.
In this book there are several prayers. The two I loved most were: A Prayer for Enlightenment of the Mind and A Prayer for Heavenly Wisdom.
It did occur to me while reading that it would be a joy to meet someone who had read this book and had taken it to heart. How like Jesus that person would be. So if your heart longs to be closer to Jesus and have a relationship with him, this is a rare and beautiful experience.
~The Rebecca Review
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Profound Spiritual Guidance for the Modern Reader
“The Imitation of Christ: In Four Books” is a timeless treasure that offers profound spiritual guidance. Thomas à Kempis’s classic work is as relevant today as it was centuries ago, providing a pathway to deeper faith and inner peace. The translation is both accessible and poetic, preserving the meditative and contemplative spirit of the original text. Each chapter serves as a reflective prompt, inviting the reader to ponder and apply the lessons to their own life. The book’s call to humility, patience, and charity resonates strongly, encouraging a life lived in imitation of Christ’s virtues. What I particularly appreciate is the book’s structure, which allows for bite-sized readings perfect for daily devotion or meditation. It’s a book that doesn’t demand to be read in one sitting but rather savored over time, with each passage offering new insights upon subsequent readings. Whether you’re well-versed in Christian literature or exploring spiritual writings for the first time, “The Imitation of Christ” is a must-read. It’s a guide that gently leads the soul towards personal transformation and a closer relationship with the divine.
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