Book description
One of the most influential and well-loved books of Christianity,
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis appears here in
Penguin Classics in a new translation by Robert Jeffery, with an
introduction by Max Von Habsburg, notes, a chronology and further reading.
The Imitation of Christ is a passionate celebration of God's
love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for
over five hundred years. With great personal conviction and deep
humanity, Thomas Kempis (1380-1471) demonstrates the individual's
reliance on God and on the words of Christ, and the futility of a life
without faith, as well as exploring the ideas such as humility,
compassion, patience and tolerance. 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, while his writing speaks to readers of every age and
every nation.
Thomas Kempis was born at Kempen near Dusseldorf in 1380. He
received the priesthood in 1413. Thomas wrote many other devotional
works besides The Imitation of Christ, his masterpiece, as well
as biographies of Gerald Groote and Florentius Radewyn. He died in 1471.
The Very Revd Robert Jeffery was born in 1935 and ordained in 1959.
He has written on matters of Church history, spirituality, mission and
ecumenism. In 1978, he became Archdeacon of Salop, and was Dean of
Worcester from 1987-96 and subsequently Canon and Sub-Dean of Christ
Church, Oxford. He retired in 2002 and is an Hon Doctor of Divinity of
Birmingham University.
Max von Habsburg is the author of Catholic and Protestant
Translations of the Imitatio Christi 1425-1650 (2011).
Thomas Kempis was born at Kempen near Dusseldorf in 1380. At
thirteen he left the local grammar school to join his elder brother
John, who had attached himself to the Congregation of the Common Life.
In 1399 Thomas' mentor Florentius allowed him to travel to Zwolle to
seek admission to the new monastery at Mount St Agnes. He was
professed in 1406 and received the priesthood in 1413. Thomas wrote
many other devotional works besides The Imitation of Christ,
his masterpiece, as well as biographies of Gerald Groote and
Florentius Radewyn. He died in 1471.
The Very Revd Robert Jeffery was born in 1935 and ordained in 1959.
He has written on matters of Church history, spirituality, mission and
ecumenism. In 1978, he became Archdeacon of Salop, and was Dean of
Worcester from 1987-96 and subsequently Canon and Sub-Dean of Christ
Church, Oxford. He retired in 2002 and is an Hon Doctor of Divinity of
Birmingham University.
Max von Habsburg is the author of Catholic and Protestant
Translations of the Imitatio Christi 1425-1650 (2011).
