The Imitation of Christ (Penguin Classics) - Softcover

Kempis, Thomas A

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141191767 ISBN 13: 9780141191768

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 2013

Synopsis

One of the best-loved books of Christianity after the Bible, now in a new translation
 
A passionate celebration of God and his love, mercy, and holiness, The Imitation of Christ has inspired conversion and stimulated religious devotion for more than five hundred years. With great personal conviction, the medieval monk Thomas à Kempis demonstrates the individual’s reliance on God and on the words of Christ, and the futility of life without faith. Thomas spent some seventy years of his life in the reclusive environment of monasteries, yet in this astonishing work he demonstrates an encompassing understanding of human nature, and his writing speaks to readers of every age and every nationality.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

About this title

Review:

The Thomas à Kempis fan club includes St. Ignatius, Thomas Merton, Thomas More, and even Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. (She reads a chapter of The Imitation of Christ every night before sleep.) Imitation has exerted immense influence on Christian worship, ethics, and church structure, because it gives specific yet broad-minded guidance about the central task of Christian life--learning to live like Jesus. Better to read this book a little here and there, now and then, than to try gobbling it cover to cover. Imitation is no triumph of orderly thinking, but it's a great monument and incentive to deep living. --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description:

When does a classic become new, fresh and extremely relevant? When someone takes it out of an outdated format and makes it readable, searchable and understandable. The Imitation of Christ has been in print for over 500 years for a good reason. It is powerful, beautiful and heart piercing. James Watkins has taken those words and reworked them into ninety daily readings, arranged by topic. Whether for daily devotions or for sound insight into a particular issue, Watkins paraphrase blends the ancient with the modern to introduce this classic to a new audience, speaking to all Christians with credibility and authority and using inclusive language not found in the original.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0141191767
• ISBN 13: 9780141191768
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224
• Editor: Jeffery Robert