The Imitation of Christ: Extracts Chosen from Challoner's 1737 Translation, Illustrated with Illuminated Manuscripts

by Thomas à Kempis

The Imitation of Christ has enjoyed greater popularity down the centuries than any Christian book apart from the Bible. Even today, the soul-searching words of the fifteenth-century monk, Thomas á Kempis, continue to resonate, unbounded by time or geography. Drawing on the Bible, the Fathers of the early Church and medieval mysticism, his four-part treatise shrugs off the allure of the material world, blending beauty and bluntness in a supremely spiritual call to arms. For this illustrated anthology, 40 memorable passages have been selected. Each excerpt is accompanied by exquisite art from one of the British Library’s finest illuminated manuscripts, including the Sherborne Missal, the Luttrell Psalter and the Bedford Hours. The result is a book to fire and inspire all who delight in the remarkable writings of Thomas á Kempis. Illustrated.

93 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2004

About the author

Thomas Hammerken (or Hammerlein -- both mean "little hammer") / Thomas de Kempis / Thomas Hamerken von Kempen was born at Kempen (hence the "A Kempis") in the duchy of Cleves in Germany around 1380. He was educated by a religious order called the Brethren of the Common Life, and in due course joined the order, was ordained a priest, became sub-prior of his house (in the low Countries), and died 25 July 1471 (his feast is observed a day early to avoid conflict with that of James bar-Zebedee the Apostle).

Thomas is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as The Imitation of Christ, in which he urges the reader to seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be conformed in all things to His will.

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never quite felt like tackling the entire Imitation of Christ, so I enjoyed this selection of brief passages from the book. The late medieval / early renaissance art is lovely. Thomas a Kempis's ideas, while sometimes more Platonic than Biblical, are typically beautifully expressed and are always challenging.

[Marsha R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and deeply moving, this book reminded me of all Christ endured for me. It stirred a longing in my heart to be more like Him in every way.