<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Good spiritual advice if read with care
Review: The Imitation of Christ is a spiritual classic for all Christians. Its primary message, seen in the first three "books," is that we must become totally dependent on God, with our will being surrendered to His. These three books deal exclusively with our personal relationship with God, warning that we should shun associations with other people and with worldly possessions. Contrary to today's popular culture, they also say that we must "keep nothing of self-love." The tone of these books seems contrary to Catholic teaching, based on Genesis, in which the world and all that is in it was created good. Our misuse of the free will that God gave us is the cause of evil in His creation. Chapters 54 and 55 of Book 3 in particular imply, as did Martin Luther, that our nature is evil; however, replacing "nature" with "concupiscence" makes the characterization of evil in these chapters worth reading. The first three books also seem contrary to Christ's deep involvement with other people. Nevertheless these three books pull us away from our excessive consumerism and materialism.Book 3 in particular offers much good spiritual advice. Bear your sufferings patiently, willingly and without complaint. Suffer all things gladly for the love of God. Do not be discouraged and weakened by temptations. Avoid carnal allurements, enticements for the eye and the life of empty show. Four things that bring peace are doing the will of others rather than your own, always choosing to have fewer riches rather than more, always seeking the lowest place and desiring to be subject to all, and always wishing for and praying that the will of God be accomplished in you. Avoid curious inquiry into the lives of others. Use bodily necessities moderately and do not have excessive desire for them. Avoid flatterers. Be patient with those who contradict you. Avoid garrulous speech and soothing, tempting voices. Do not let your peace of mind depend on what people say about you. If you are guilty, do not resent correction but make amends. Cling to the Lord and do not fear judgments of humans, when your conscience assures you that you seek to be devout and innocent. Do not take it to heart if you see others honored and promoted and yourself despised and looked down upon. Your peace must not depend upon human beings. Do not think that God has abandoned you because He has sent you some grief or because He has withdrawn from you the consolation for which you longed. Expect being very distracted in prayer. Desire nothing from this world. To help attain contemplation, do not depend on outward signs and material things but practice mortification. Forsake all and you will find all; relinquish all desire and you will find rest. Be of pure intention. Praise and glorify God in all things. Refrain from arguments, especially about the hidden judgments of God. Consult God in time of danger. Do not be impressed by the brilliant and clever sayings of human beings; the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. It is best for you to be ignorant about many things, considering yourself dead to the world. Avoid those you confide their secrets to others. When spiritually weary undertake humble, exterior works. Book 4 provides many meditations for use prior to receiving Holy Communion. This is the only book that shows the importance of the Church and the Sacraments in our spiritual lives. The book is best read at the pace of one chapter per day, as a source for daily meditation.
Rating:
Summary: Good spiritual advice if read with care
Review: The Imitation of Christ is a spiritual classic for all Christians. Its primary message, seen in the first three "books," is that we must become totally dependent on God, with our will being surrendered to His. These three books deal exclusively with our personal relationship with God, warning that we should shun associations with other people and with worldly possessions. Contrary to today's popular culture, they also say that we must "keep nothing of self-love." The tone of these books seems contrary to Catholic teaching, based on Genesis, in which the world and all that is in it was created good. Our misuse of the free will that God gave us is the cause of evil in His creation. Chapters 54 and 55 of Book 3 in particular imply, as did Martin Luther, that our nature is evil; however, replacing "nature" with "concupiscence" makes the characterization of evil in these chapters worth reading. The first three books also seem contrary to Christ's deep involvement with other people. Nevertheless these three books pull us away from our excessive consumerism and materialism. Book 3 in particular offers much good spiritual advice. Bear your sufferings patiently, willingly and without complaint. Suffer all things gladly for the love of God. Do not be discouraged and weakened by temptations. Avoid carnal allurements, enticements for the eye and the life of empty show. Four things that bring peace are doing the will of others rather than your own, always choosing to have fewer riches rather than more, always seeking the lowest place and desiring to be subject to all, and always wishing for and praying that the will of God be accomplished in you. Avoid curious inquiry into the lives of others. Use bodily necessities moderately and do not have excessive desire for them. Avoid flatterers. Be patient with those who contradict you. Avoid garrulous speech and soothing, tempting voices. Do not let your peace of mind depend on what people say about you. If you are guilty, do not resent correction but make amends. Cling to the Lord and do not fear judgments of humans, when your conscience assures you that you seek to be devout and innocent. Do not take it to heart if you see others honored and promoted and yourself despised and looked down upon. Your peace must not depend upon human beings. Do not think that God has abandoned you because He has sent you some grief or because He has withdrawn from you the consolation for which you longed. Expect being very distracted in prayer. Desire nothing from this world. To help attain contemplation, do not depend on outward signs and material things but practice mortification. Forsake all and you will find all; relinquish all desire and you will find rest. Be of pure intention. Praise and glorify God in all things. Refrain from arguments, especially about the hidden judgments of God. Consult God in time of danger. Do not be impressed by the brilliant and clever sayings of human beings; the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. It is best for you to be ignorant about many things, considering yourself dead to the world. Avoid those you confide their secrets to others. When spiritually weary undertake humble, exterior works. Book 4 provides many meditations for use prior to receiving Holy Communion. This is the only book that shows the importance of the Church and the Sacraments in our spiritual lives. The book is best read at the pace of one chapter per day, as a source for daily meditation.
Rating: 
Summary: Challenging, yet comforting
Review: There's a good reason this book is a spiritual classic. Although we will all probably disagree with some of Thomas a Kempis' theology, this book is really pretty biblical. That means it will make the reader uncomfortable at times. It forces us to reflect on our failings and on the fact that this life is not meant to be a bed of roses, though our culture tells us otherwise. Because of this, it is easy to think of the book as "gloomy." A Kempis did focus more on the sorrows of life than the joys. Nevertheless, this book presents a voice that needs to be heard. Also, the book isn't all gloom and doom. I have found it very comforting at what is a rather rough period in my life. On one morning, the words in book 3, chapter 57 really spoke to me. A Kempis imagines Jesus to be saying, "I am still ready to help you and comfort you even more than before, if you trust in me and call upon me in a prayerful way.... If you feel yourself often set upon or badly tempted, still all is not lost. You are not God; you are a human being.... How can you always carry on in unwavering virtue when Lucifer could not while he was in heaven nor could Adam while he was in paradise?" This is not the only place in the book where there is a strong emphasis on God's grace and mercy. What could be more comforting? I haven't read any other translations of the book, so I can't compare Creasy to other translators. I can say that I found the book relevant and easy to understand.
Rating:
Summary: Among the Top 10 Spiritual Books of All Time
Review: This is one of the best spiritual exercises in history, especially for teachers, students, theologians, missionaries, and anyone involved in teaching of any sort. Thomas' words provoke deep thoughtfulnes and concern in ones sprituality, and remind us to be vigilant in our service to the Truth.
Rating: 
Summary: Gloomy, unrealistic, irrelevant
Review: This review refers to the translation by William Creasy. Several have tried to bring the devotional classic, "The Imitation of Christ" into the twentieth century and all have failed. I can think of few devotional books as morose and melancholy as this one. I have attempted to read it on several occasions due to its reputation throughout Christian history but have never been able to draw any strength or comfort from a work whose message consists of these themes: "Abandon the world and hate it", "Withdraw from all people into yourself", "Think often of death and judgment". This is Christianity! It sounds like the scribblings of a manic-depressive in need of Prozac and some long term attitude adjustment! A real downer. Not something that would encourage me to continue with my day to day reading and meditation time. Where is the encouragement and refreshment that one would expect from devotional reading? How in the dickens is someone supposed to draw strength from a book that seems designed to rob you of all positive emotions and hopes? The emphasis here is on everything dark and depressing that one can imagine. It is my opinion that one would have to distort the message of the New Testament to an incredible degree to make the message of "The Imitation" be in synchrony with it. One further point: while the cross of Jesus is mentioned over and over and over in this, I do not recall a single mention of the Resurrection of Jesus-which shows how distorted this is if it fails to see any point worth mentioning to the central mystery of Christianity, right?
Rating:
Summary: Accessible Classic
Review: This translation helps the words of this prolific and devout writer come alive for the reader in very profound ways. The suggestions, arguments, insights, and pronouncements of Thomas a Kempis have very modern and immediate applications. His "dialogs" with Jesus can sing with love, longing, and awe or speak plainly to the very practical. This is an accessible book of meditations that offers inspiration and comfort in a language that brings the 15th century straight into the 21st. It's a book to keep and savor over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Not for Everybody, perhaps for Nobody
Review: This work is a solid foundation for devotion - good faith, good works, and humility. The teachings of Kempis place an emphasis on leaving the ego behind to serve others with purity of heart and mind. This book, made for catholics, also found its place on the shelves and in the hearts of protestants aswell...namely for its copious biblical literalism. The beauty of this book lies in its appeal to all who wish to follow Christ...its amiable in its nature and works wherever you wish to serve Him. Just pick up a copy and see why this book is only second to the Bible in copies printed.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless Reflections
Review: Thomas a Kempis lived in a world torn asunder by the Plague, political upheaval, and deep crisis in the Church-a world perhaps not so different from ours. Thomas chose to leave his embattled world for the monastery and devote his life to God. Escapism? Retreat? Hardly. Thomas shows us with great pain, passion, and eloquence how monastic life is the ultimate battle, that between the spirit and the flesh, with stakes no less than one's eternal salvation. "Imitations" teaches us how to be humble before God and each other, and how to live in a manner pleasing to God. It offers up devotional prayers that help us move toward a real and meaningful relationship with Jesus. And in Book Four, it provides profound reflections on the Eucharist that, for Catholics, take this Sacrament to a whole new level of significance, mystery, and beauty. In many ways the book is not comforting, for it offers no easy answers. Instead, it challenges us to look at our thoughts and actions with utmost clarity and honesty. This is neither easy nor comfortable, but in the end, our only road to peace. Thomas's writing has certainly stood the test of time. After over five hundred years, his words still ring true, and loudly.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless Reflections
Review: Thomas a Kempis lived in a world torn asunder by the Plague, political upheaval, and deep crisis in the Church-a world perhaps not so different from ours. Thomas chose to leave his embattled world for the monastery and devote his life to God. Escapism? Retreat? Hardly. Thomas shows us with great pain, passion, and eloquence how monastic life is the ultimate battle, that between the spirit and the flesh, with stakes no less than one's eternal salvation. "Imitations" teaches us how to be humble before God and each other, and how to live in a manner pleasing to God. It offers up devotional prayers that help us move toward a real and meaningful relationship with Jesus. And in Book Four, it provides profound reflections on the Eucharist that, for Catholics, take this Sacrament to a whole new level of significance, mystery, and beauty. In many ways the book is not comforting, for it offers no easy answers. Instead, it challenges us to look at our thoughts and actions with utmost clarity and honesty. This is neither easy nor comfortable, but in the end, our only road to peace. Thomas's writing has certainly stood the test of time. After over five hundred years, his words still ring true, and loudly.
Rating:
Summary: Of great historical import, yet strangely timely
Review: Thomas a Kempis was medival monk and priest (1380-1471) who served as chronicler of the monastery at Mt. St. Agnes. During his long life of scholarship, he wrote several biographies of church fathers and a number of devotional works. The "Imitation of Christ" remains his most famous work and the one that has best stood the test of time. Indeed, one of the wonderful things about this work is that it reminds us that the life of the mind is not a creature of the Enlightenment. Even during the so-called Dark Ages there were brilliant scholars with a wide knowledge of both scripture and philosophy. Reflecting its vibrant insight into the human condition, the "Imitation of Christ" remains influential on both sides of the Reformation divide. It reportedly was, for example, one of John Wesley's favorite devotionals. The "Imitation of Christ" is divided into 4 books, each undertaking a basic theme for development. They are, respectively, the Spiritual Life, the Inner Life, Inward Consolation, and the Blessed Sacrament (i.e., the Eucharist). In turn, each book is sub-divided into numerous chapters, each a page or two long. All of which makes the "Imitation of Christ" a useful book for daily devotionals. One can skip around freely within the book, dipping in as the mood strikes. Yet, I think one is well-served by reading it through at least once. Only then does one see Thomas' thought in its fully-developed form
<< 1 >>
|
