
The Imitation of Christ
'The Imitation of Christ' Summary
Book One of the Imitation is titled "Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life". The Imitation derives its title from the first chapter of Book I, "The Imitation of Christ and contempt for the vanities of the world" (Latin: "De Imitatione Christi et contemptu omnium vanitatum mundi"). The Imitation is sometimes referred to as Following of the Christ, which comes from the opening words of the first chapter—"Whoever follows Me will not walk into darkness." Book One deals with the withdrawal of the outward life—so far as positive duty allows and emphasizes an interior life by renouncing all that is vain and illusory, resisting temptations and distractions of life, giving up the pride of learning and to be humble, forsaking the disputations of theologians and patiently enduring the world's contempt and contradiction.
Kempis stresses the importance of solitude and silence, "how undisturbed a conscience we would have if we never went searching after ephemeral joys nor concerned ourselves with affairs of the world..." Kempis writes that the "World and all its allurements pass away" and following sensual desires leads to a "dissipated conscience" and a "distracted heart" (Chap. 20). Kempis writes that one should meditate on death and "live as becomes a pilgrim and a stranger on earth...for this earth of ours is no lasting city" (Chap. 23). On the Day of Judgement, Kempis writes that a good and pure conscience will give more joy than all the philosophy one has ever learned, fervent prayer will bring more happiness than a "multi-course banquet", the silence will be more "exhilarating" than long tales, holy deeds will be of greater value than nice-sounding words (Chap. 24).
Kempis writes one must remain faithful and fervent to God, and keep good hope of attaining victory and salvation, but avoid overconfidence. Kempis gives the example of an anxious man who, oscillating between fear and hope and with grief went to the altar and said: "Oh, if only I knew that I shall persevere to the end." Immediately he heard the divine answer, "What if you knew this? What would you do? Do now what you would do then, and you will be very safe." After this the man gave himself to God's will, and his anxiety and fear of future disappeared (Chap. 25).
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
LatinPublished In
1427Authors

Thomas a Kempis
Holy Roman Empire
Thomas à Kempis was a German-Dutch canon regular of the late medieval period and the author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the most popular and best known Christian devotional books. His na...
Books by Thomas a KempisDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

God's Troubadour, The Story of St. Francis of Assisi by Sophie Jewett
Francis, a young Italian boy, is a merchant’s son who is enthralled by the troubadour songs and tales of knights that his father brings back from his...

Werwolves by Elliott O’Donnell
Elliott O'Donnell's "Werewolves" is a fascinating exploration of werewolf folklore and traditions across Europe. It delves into the historical belief...

The Story of a Soul by Saint Therese
Marie Francoise Therese Martin, affectionately known as 'The Little Flower', was born on January 2, 1873, in Alencon, France to Louis Martin and Zelie...

Noiseless Patient Spider by Walt Whitman
LibriVox volunteers bring you eight different readings of Walt Whitman’s A Noiseless Patient Spider, a weekly poetry project. (Summary by Annie Colema...

Fundamentals Volume 2 by Handley Carr Glyn Moule
The Fundamentals is a collection of essays published between 1910 and 1915 that sought to reaffirm the fundamental doctrines of Christianity in respon...

New Testament: Being the English Only of the Greek and English Testament by Abner Kneeland
Abner Kneeland's translation of the New Testament stands out as a controversial and historically significant work. Originally a Christian Universalist...

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 1 by Cyril of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria's *Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 1* provides a detailed exegetical analysis of the first 28 verses of the Gospel of John,...

Bible (DBY) NT 03: Luke by Darby Bible
The Darby Bible is a translation of the New Testament by John Nelson Darby, originally published in 1867. It is known for its literal and conservative...

A Year's Prayer-Meeting TalksLouis Albert Banks by Louis Albert Banks
This is a series of 52 talks, all of which were delivered by Rev. Banks in the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Cleveland, Ohio on a weekly basis o...

World's Best Poetry, Volume 4: The Higher Life (Part 2) by Various
This volume of poetry explores the human experience, death, immortality, and Heaven through notable religious and devotional poems and hymns. It also...
Reviews for The Imitation of Christ
No reviews posted or approved, yet...