What do you think?
Rate this book
Crisol #7
Transformation in Christ: On the Christian Attitude
Recognized as a modern spiritual classic and perhaps Dietrich von Hildebrand's greatest work, this sublime and practical study gives a penetrating analysis of the true path to holiness for those who love Christ. The first requisite is the person's desire for change, and with that fundamental attitude in mind, von Hildebrand devotes a chapter to each of the successive spiritual attitudes necessary for those who strive for Christian perfection. The Beatitudes are treated with beauty and depth in an uncompromising challenge to every serious Christian to put into practice these teachings of Christ. "A magnificent treatise by a distinguished philosopher on the pursuit of spiritual perfection."
Publishers Weekly
"A major contribution to the only important the transformation of our soul in Christ."
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
"A masterpiece of modern eminently practical and highly recommended."
Fr. John Hardon, S.J.
"A solid and penetrating analysis of the Christian virtues, and their application in the struggle toward Christian perfection."
Library Journal
Publishers Weekly
"A major contribution to the only important the transformation of our soul in Christ."
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
"A masterpiece of modern eminently practical and highly recommended."
Fr. John Hardon, S.J.
"A solid and penetrating analysis of the Christian virtues, and their application in the struggle toward Christian perfection."
Library Journal
538 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1940
152 people are currently reading
1067 people want to read
About the author
Dietrich von Hildebrand
77 books210 followersDietrich von Hildebrand was a German Catholic philosopher and theologian who was called (informally) by Pope Pius XII "the 20th Century Doctor of the Church."
Pope John Paul II greatly admired the work of von Hildebrand, remarking once to von Hildebrand's widow, Alice von Hildebrand, "Your husband is one of the great ethicists of the twentieth century." Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has a particular admiration and regard for Dietrich von Hildebrand, whom he already knew as a young priest in Munich. In fact, as young Fr. Ratzinger, he even served as an assistant pastor in the church of St. Georg in Munich, which von Hildebrand frequented in the 1950s and 1960s. It was also in St. Georg that Dietrich and Alice von Hildebrand were married.
The degree of Pope Benedict's esteem is expressed in one of his statements about von Hildebrand, "When the intellectual history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is written, the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand will be most prominent among the figures of our time." Von Hildebrand was a vocal critic of the changes in the church brought by the Second Vatican Council. He especially resented the new liturgy. Of it he said "Truly, if one of the devils in C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters had been entrusted with the ruin of the liturgy, he could not have done it better."
Von Hildebrand died in New Rochelle, New York, in 1977.
Pope John Paul II greatly admired the work of von Hildebrand, remarking once to von Hildebrand's widow, Alice von Hildebrand, "Your husband is one of the great ethicists of the twentieth century." Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has a particular admiration and regard for Dietrich von Hildebrand, whom he already knew as a young priest in Munich. In fact, as young Fr. Ratzinger, he even served as an assistant pastor in the church of St. Georg in Munich, which von Hildebrand frequented in the 1950s and 1960s. It was also in St. Georg that Dietrich and Alice von Hildebrand were married.
The degree of Pope Benedict's esteem is expressed in one of his statements about von Hildebrand, "When the intellectual history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is written, the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand will be most prominent among the figures of our time." Von Hildebrand was a vocal critic of the changes in the church brought by the Second Vatican Council. He especially resented the new liturgy. Of it he said "Truly, if one of the devils in C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters had been entrusted with the ruin of the liturgy, he could not have done it better."
Von Hildebrand died in New Rochelle, New York, in 1977.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 2, 2016
This is my second time through and it really blows me away.
This time around I would read about ten pages a day for spiritual reading instead of plowing through. This is what Alice von Hildebrand recommended in the preface and it was good advice.
It was much like having personal spiritual direction or going on a bunch of short retweets. I love how he calls various things "unfreedoms" and the attitudes we develop and how to overcome them. It is so easy to see your own mistakes as he details them. This is not an easy read, but it is so worth paying attention and learning from it.
So easy to be caught up in his heroic biography, but he also a master of the spiritual life. Surprising considering his upbringing and that he was a convert. He writes like somebody who inhaled the faith from the start.
Looking at my records I last read this in 2000. That is way too long between reads.
This time around I would read about ten pages a day for spiritual reading instead of plowing through. This is what Alice von Hildebrand recommended in the preface and it was good advice.
It was much like having personal spiritual direction or going on a bunch of short retweets. I love how he calls various things "unfreedoms" and the attitudes we develop and how to overcome them. It is so easy to see your own mistakes as he details them. This is not an easy read, but it is so worth paying attention and learning from it.
So easy to be caught up in his heroic biography, but he also a master of the spiritual life. Surprising considering his upbringing and that he was a convert. He writes like somebody who inhaled the faith from the start.
Looking at my records I last read this in 2000. That is way too long between reads.
September 28, 2015
Wow! Arguably the best book I've read all year. Lengthy and sometimes dense, it is for the advanced reader (and even then have a dictionary ready). But von Hildebrand is a clear and systematic thinker, constantly providing lists and sub-lists in his line of thought. The 1962 Image edition I read would have been well-served to provide chapter sub-headings to more clearly delineate distinct sections and sub-sections (since this has been in print since it came out in 1948 you may find an edition that does this -- if so, get it).
He brings forth aspects of simplicity, humility, freedom, patience, meekness, sorrow, sobriety, and so much more, that most persons would never consider or distinguish. He even delves into less than proper motivations accompanying ostensibly good behavior and approaches that make one re-evaluate his own life.
When the going gets tough in your reading, the reader must get tough in turn and plow through -- it is well worth the effort. The dense clouds will part when you least expect it and the eminently quotable author will have you using your highlighter or making notes in the margins. In any case, he certainly will have you pondering (and hopefully praying).
A small quibble is that the author could have made more use of practical examples to clarify or bring home his teaching. When he does so, it makes a great difference.
I hope to read it again some day and that time actually outline the book. I undoubtedly missed much along the journey. One could develop an entire university course out of the brilliant and wide-ranging discussion found in this tome. It is a volume to keep in your library close at hand. A masterpiece.
The book is "Transformation in Christ." The thoughtful and prayerful reader will not help but grow in his relationship with Christ by reading and implementing in his own life this book.
He brings forth aspects of simplicity, humility, freedom, patience, meekness, sorrow, sobriety, and so much more, that most persons would never consider or distinguish. He even delves into less than proper motivations accompanying ostensibly good behavior and approaches that make one re-evaluate his own life.
When the going gets tough in your reading, the reader must get tough in turn and plow through -- it is well worth the effort. The dense clouds will part when you least expect it and the eminently quotable author will have you using your highlighter or making notes in the margins. In any case, he certainly will have you pondering (and hopefully praying).
A small quibble is that the author could have made more use of practical examples to clarify or bring home his teaching. When he does so, it makes a great difference.
I hope to read it again some day and that time actually outline the book. I undoubtedly missed much along the journey. One could develop an entire university course out of the brilliant and wide-ranging discussion found in this tome. It is a volume to keep in your library close at hand. A masterpiece.
The book is "Transformation in Christ." The thoughtful and prayerful reader will not help but grow in his relationship with Christ by reading and implementing in his own life this book.
August 31, 2019
The introduction compares this book to Imitation of Christ. To say that is a bold claim is an understatement, but incredibly, that claim may not have been bold enough. It's better. Kempis warns us of the pitfalls that ravage this world, but von Hildebrand balances his sharp incites into human frailty with the constant refrain of a Love that wishes to raise us to be something more than we are. The Christian virtues are all linked to each other; to possess one is to possess them all, and to be deficient in one is to be deficient in all. To know that God is real is to desire a serious change in who we are, fallen creatures in need of some serious help; this implies a simplicity in purpose and a sense of humility; one must trust God even (and especially) when we fail in our purpose and express true contrition; being those sad creatures we are, we must constantly refer back to God in prayer and recollection, constantly seeking to free ourselves of the automatism of our weak nature. That idea of automatism really struck me as important given the world of Twitter we exist in. Values exist objectively and exist in a hierarchy with each other; we are called upon to both recognize and respond to these values. von Hildebrand describes the true nature of terms we take for granted, like justice and humility and freedom, going into detail examining common errors regarding these important ideas and why those errors both flourish and harm us. This is one of the best books on human nature I have ever read and I seriously cannot think of a better philosopher who lived during the 20th Century. There is so much sugary "Christian" garbage out there, but here one finds a hearty meal for the mind. It also makes a wonderful devotional work. I read maybe 10 pages a day and did my best to actually live it.
What a beautiful way to see the world. What a beautiful way to live. This is the Catholic faith that I love. A million horrible things are out there about this faith, some true, some false, some more true than we even know, but none of them undo the true teachings that this book illuminates, and those truths are worth living for and worth living by.
My review simply doesn't do it justice. I'll reread this book.
What a beautiful way to see the world. What a beautiful way to live. This is the Catholic faith that I love. A million horrible things are out there about this faith, some true, some false, some more true than we even know, but none of them undo the true teachings that this book illuminates, and those truths are worth living for and worth living by.
My review simply doesn't do it justice. I'll reread this book.
April 22, 2016
This is one of the most outstanding intellectual anthologies of the coherence and distinctiveness of the Christian life that I have yet come across. Von Hildebrand is writing from a perspective of attentiveness to the essence of Christianity as it is presented in the excellence that virtue and holiness imply. His method in considering each dimension of Christian existence is to proceed first negatively by distinguishing true excellence from its imitations or popular misinterpretations. This is extremely helpful, insofar as the mind usually proceeds in the same way as the eye: it perceives through contrast, light and shadow. Highly recommended.
December 30, 2012
Excellent book. It really gets to the meat of living the Christian life and total abandonment to Christ. There are too many good points contained to do them any justice in a review here, so one needs to read it. The nutshell is this: we have to remove the natural comfort zones we create to protect ourselves and be bold for Christ, allowing Him to penetrate our hearts and transform us, not on our terms, but on His. Von Hildebrand makes this point over and over as he goes through different habits and virtues (and the vices opposed to them) to acquire and perfect. Of particular note is his fair and true assessment of both the excess and defect aspects of a given virtue or vice as he covers nearly every common, modern behavior of man which hinders his growth in Christ.
This is not a quick read; it is best digested in slow and steady segments. Each chapter is neatly subdivided into little sub-headings with one or a few paragraphs to explain a particular point making it easier to pace oneself through the book.
This is not a quick read; it is best digested in slow and steady segments. Each chapter is neatly subdivided into little sub-headings with one or a few paragraphs to explain a particular point making it easier to pace oneself through the book.
March 5, 2018
In order to be truly transformed in Christ you need to want to change, you need contrition, self knowledge, true consciousness, simplicity, recollection, humility, confidence in God, patience, meekness, mercy, sorrow, sobriety and self surrender. This is the fruit of 18 lectures given by Deitrich von Hildebrand between August 1936 and 1937 and while his words were all the more powerful for being said in the context of the rise of Nazism, they are as relevant today as then. It is a mind blowing book and while there were several times when I had no idea what he was talking about - the man's a genius - what I did understand was incredible. Not only is the man a genius, he's clearly a saint. This is one of the best books I have read in my life and I will probably spend the rest of my life going back and learning from it. Just amazing.
May 21, 2024
What a journey! More or less one paragraph at a time, this book has nourished me and challenged me through all the ups and downs and sidewayses of the last four and a half years. I'll be starting again tomorrow.
April 15, 2025
Fui escéptico cuando escuché que este libro era la nueva Imitación de Cristo. Sabía que a su autor, Hildebrand, lo precedía su inmejorable reputación por haber combatido a Hitler. Sin embargo, ponerlo a la altura de la guía espiritual más importante del catolicismo me parecía excesivo. Después de leer pausadamente La transformación en Cristo he quedado plenamente satisfecho con el símil.
Efectivamente, Hildebrand es el nuevo “Thomas à Kempis”. Su libro no es una barata auto-ayuda, ni un indulgente manual de espiritualidad, ni un ejercicio intelectual desalmado. Realmente es un libro que exhorta a los cristianos a dejar de auto-afirmarse para lograr transformarse en Cristo. Estas exhortaciones, aunque enérgicas y a menudo incómodas, no son mandatos abstractos. Van acompañadas por un análisis meticuloso de qué hacer y qué dejar de hacer para conseguir esa transformación.
Debo decir que no es un libro fácil. No se lo recomendaría ni a los legos, ni a los que se van iniciando en la exploración de su fe cristiana. Creo que se debe alcanzar cierta madurez espiritual para acercarse a este libro, y también se requiere paciencia racional, porque no es un libro sencillo. A pesar del nivel intelectual de Hildebrand, es admirable cómo no cae en conceptualidades culturales o en rodeos filosóficos. Sí hay dosis mesuradas de referencias artísticas y especulaciones reflexivas. Sin embargo, Hildebrand tiene muy claro que no es un libro para ejercer pensamiento crítico, sino para orientar a quien está convencido de la verdad cristiana.
Hay dos cosas muy iluminadoras de este libro: una que dará claridad a los creyentes y otra que puede ser aprovechada incluso por no creyentes. La primera, específicamente para creyentes, es la capacidad de Hildebrand de precisar las actitudes verdaderamente cristianas y desterrar confusiones. Por ejemplo: cuando dice que un cristiano debe auto-conocerse, le explica varios tipos de auto-conocimiento y le da herramientas para discernir cuál es el verdadero auto-conocimiento cristiano. Aquí va desde el auto-conocimiento que busca justificar a toda costa la personalidad, hasta la reflexividad excesiva que llega a impedir a las personas disfrutar de las cosas por estar siempre observándose a sí mismas. Este tipo de distinciones las ejecuta con muchos otros conceptos: cuál es el verdadero remordimiento de los pecados, cuál la verdadera mansedumbre cristiana, cuál es la auténtica simplicidad, etcétera, etcétera. Esto es esencial porque muchos que se dicen cristianos se convencen de que viven su espiritualidad sin error alguno, sólo para descubrir que sólo se están auto-afirmando. La segunda iluminación que puede aprovechar incluso a los no creyentes (si se atrevieran a leer esta obra espiritual) tiene que ver con las descripciones de los tipos de personalidad. Hildebrand tiene una agudeza impresionante para captar la variedad de temperamentos: desde el obstinado con aires de superioridad, pasando por el que tiene falsa modestia y en realidad es un arrogante oculto, hasta el pusilánime que quiere quedar bien con los demás. Ésos, entre muchos otros temperamentos, que son una guía valiosa para quien quiera entender la relación entre psicología y religión.
Sin lugar a dudas, Transformación en Cristo es la mejor guía espiritual que se ha escrito en tiempos modernos.
Efectivamente, Hildebrand es el nuevo “Thomas à Kempis”. Su libro no es una barata auto-ayuda, ni un indulgente manual de espiritualidad, ni un ejercicio intelectual desalmado. Realmente es un libro que exhorta a los cristianos a dejar de auto-afirmarse para lograr transformarse en Cristo. Estas exhortaciones, aunque enérgicas y a menudo incómodas, no son mandatos abstractos. Van acompañadas por un análisis meticuloso de qué hacer y qué dejar de hacer para conseguir esa transformación.
Debo decir que no es un libro fácil. No se lo recomendaría ni a los legos, ni a los que se van iniciando en la exploración de su fe cristiana. Creo que se debe alcanzar cierta madurez espiritual para acercarse a este libro, y también se requiere paciencia racional, porque no es un libro sencillo. A pesar del nivel intelectual de Hildebrand, es admirable cómo no cae en conceptualidades culturales o en rodeos filosóficos. Sí hay dosis mesuradas de referencias artísticas y especulaciones reflexivas. Sin embargo, Hildebrand tiene muy claro que no es un libro para ejercer pensamiento crítico, sino para orientar a quien está convencido de la verdad cristiana.
Hay dos cosas muy iluminadoras de este libro: una que dará claridad a los creyentes y otra que puede ser aprovechada incluso por no creyentes. La primera, específicamente para creyentes, es la capacidad de Hildebrand de precisar las actitudes verdaderamente cristianas y desterrar confusiones. Por ejemplo: cuando dice que un cristiano debe auto-conocerse, le explica varios tipos de auto-conocimiento y le da herramientas para discernir cuál es el verdadero auto-conocimiento cristiano. Aquí va desde el auto-conocimiento que busca justificar a toda costa la personalidad, hasta la reflexividad excesiva que llega a impedir a las personas disfrutar de las cosas por estar siempre observándose a sí mismas. Este tipo de distinciones las ejecuta con muchos otros conceptos: cuál es el verdadero remordimiento de los pecados, cuál la verdadera mansedumbre cristiana, cuál es la auténtica simplicidad, etcétera, etcétera. Esto es esencial porque muchos que se dicen cristianos se convencen de que viven su espiritualidad sin error alguno, sólo para descubrir que sólo se están auto-afirmando. La segunda iluminación que puede aprovechar incluso a los no creyentes (si se atrevieran a leer esta obra espiritual) tiene que ver con las descripciones de los tipos de personalidad. Hildebrand tiene una agudeza impresionante para captar la variedad de temperamentos: desde el obstinado con aires de superioridad, pasando por el que tiene falsa modestia y en realidad es un arrogante oculto, hasta el pusilánime que quiere quedar bien con los demás. Ésos, entre muchos otros temperamentos, que son una guía valiosa para quien quiera entender la relación entre psicología y religión.
Sin lugar a dudas, Transformación en Cristo es la mejor guía espiritual que se ha escrito en tiempos modernos.
February 15, 2021
Wondering what it really means to be a disciple? This is it.
Although this book was written long before the 21st Century emphasis on becoming disciples rather than mere members of the Church, read in that context, it provides a detailed description of the inner change that is necessary and possible when one truly encounters Christ. This, in its truest sense is the life of a modern mystic.
Highly recommend for anyone serious about their spiritual life.
Although this book was written long before the 21st Century emphasis on becoming disciples rather than mere members of the Church, read in that context, it provides a detailed description of the inner change that is necessary and possible when one truly encounters Christ. This, in its truest sense is the life of a modern mystic.
Highly recommend for anyone serious about their spiritual life.
December 1, 2017
Dieses Buch ist eine der besten Bücher, die ich überhaupt gelesen habe. In diesen Zeiten, in denen das Christentum auf eine Ethik oder sogar auf einen politischen Moralismus reduziert wird, zeigt dieses Werk Von Hildebrands die tiefste Substanz des christlichen Lebens, in seiner ganzen Komplexität, aber auch in seiner intimsten Einheit. Es ist auch literarisch ein sehr schönes Buch. Ich würde sagen, es handelt sich um einen echten Klassiker der katholischen Spiritualität, genauso wie die Werke von Johannes von Kreuz oder Teresa von Avila. Unglaublich, dass dieses Werk in Vergessenheit geraten ist.
Este libro es uno de los mejores libros que he leído. En estos tiempos en los que el cristianismo ha sido reducido a una ética o incluso a un moralismo político, esta obra de Von Hildebrand muestra la substancia más profunda de la vida cristiana, en toda su complejidad, pero también en su más íntima unidad. Es también un libro literariamente muy bello. Diría que se trata de un verdadero clásico de la espiritualidad católica, como lo son las obras de San Juan de la Cruz o Santa Teresa de Ávila. Increíble que esta obra haya caído en el olvido.
Este libro es uno de los mejores libros que he leído. En estos tiempos en los que el cristianismo ha sido reducido a una ética o incluso a un moralismo político, esta obra de Von Hildebrand muestra la substancia más profunda de la vida cristiana, en toda su complejidad, pero también en su más íntima unidad. Es también un libro literariamente muy bello. Diría que se trata de un verdadero clásico de la espiritualidad católica, como lo son las obras de San Juan de la Cruz o Santa Teresa de Ávila. Increíble que esta obra haya caído en el olvido.
April 21, 2024
This book is a fantastic example of taking 500 pages to say what you could’ve seen in probably 100. Regardless, good content.
“The primary attitude of man, as a creature, is a receptive one. To let ourselves be apprehended by God, to lay our soul open to the influx of God‘s eternal Word, to expose ourselves to the sword of the love of Christ - therein lies what is most proper to our essence. Our transformation in Christ, again, means primarily our undergoing a process of transformation by Him; He is to engrave the seal of His countenance upon our soul.”
“The primary attitude of man, as a creature, is a receptive one. To let ourselves be apprehended by God, to lay our soul open to the influx of God‘s eternal Word, to expose ourselves to the sword of the love of Christ - therein lies what is most proper to our essence. Our transformation in Christ, again, means primarily our undergoing a process of transformation by Him; He is to engrave the seal of His countenance upon our soul.”
June 29, 2025
This book demands time and reflection, but it has undoubtedly been one of the most important reads in my life. It is a true masterpiece of Christian spirituality that deeply resonated with me. I am profoundly grateful for the life and work of Dietrich von Hildebrand. I will be coming back to this one.
November 9, 2025
A thorough and thoughtful breakdown on becoming a Christian
Hildebrand presents a comprehensive insight into what it takes to be a follower of Christ. Capturing and explaining those traits of Christ that we must possess as Christians. What an incredible mind God blessed Hildebrand with.
Hildebrand presents a comprehensive insight into what it takes to be a follower of Christ. Capturing and explaining those traits of Christ that we must possess as Christians. What an incredible mind God blessed Hildebrand with.
August 18, 2022
What a beautiful and fantastic piece of writing. The insights Von Hildebrand produces in this work are life changing and resonated so much with me. This work definitely makes It on my list favorite all time books and I think it's something that every person who seriously claims to be a Christian should read.
July 4, 2017
Life-changing wisdom in plain terms. The book gives a sort of step-by-step insight into what exactly it looks like to grow in holiness.
December 29, 2019
If you're reading new titles, you've got to read some older ones for familiarity, … this is a good one to know.
July 9, 2020
Difficult to read at times, but do recommend. Need to have some theology background
Want to read
January 7, 2010Recommended by James Schall in Another Sort of Learning, Chapter 16, as one of Eleven Books on Prayer, Belief, and Reflection.
Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.
Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.
January 5, 2012
See Dietrich von Hildebrand: http://www.hildebrandlegacy.org/
See Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=7R3L...
See Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=7R3L...
June 2, 2015
Hildebrand works to unveil the inter heart of the reader and to move you to a greater submission to the work of Christ in your inter self. You may feel like Hildebrand is writing to you and he knows you personally. I believe this book will be a classic for centuries ahead.
May 23, 2016
Rare it is for me to find a book of spirituality and prayer that truly speaks to me, that isn't pious twaddle or unicorns farting rainbows and sunshine. Hildebrand's treatise is grounded and realistic, yet joyful and brimming with the love of God. I shall be returning to this book often.
September 4, 2008
This took a long time to get through, but the wisdom of Dietrich Von Hildebrand should be sipped like a fine wine.
May 14, 2009
Very challenging but well worth the effort
December 6, 2014
Si no lo has leído tres veces, te estás perdiendo mucho.
December 8, 2023
Edifying. Hildebrand writes with tremendous clarity and insight into the human condition.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews