A Summary of Thomas Kempis The Imitation of Christ - Book Report/Review Example

A Book Summary of Thomas Kempis’ THE IMITATION OF CHRIST Thomas Kempis’ “The Imitation of Christ” was once considered as “the best-loved book of Christianity, after the bible.” Though many critics have claimed its doctrinal deviation from the teaching of Christ, its popularity is indisputable these days holding over 50 different languages translations. The book is divided into four sections written sometime between 1420 and 1427. After its first publication, the book has been changing the lives of many Christians as Thomas shares his version of true and perfect devotion to God. The book starts its devotional statements with a verse “HE WHO follows Me, walks not in darkness,” (John 8:12) encouraging man to imitate Jesus for a secured life. And to imitate Christ is to live HIS teachings demanding the condemnation of vanity which he defined as “Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone” (Book 1, Chapter1, Paragraph3). Thus, to imitate God is to mortify ourselves from the things that vanish. Chapter 6 of the first book conveys that man by nature is insatiable. He can’t be contented with his belongings. Achieving something means going for more. There is too much preoccupation of worldly stuffs in human’s heart which blinds him to the true treasure of life which can only be found in the teachings of Christ as Chapter 3 of the first book states “ We have eyes and do not see”. Man undermines what matters most in living which is preparation for the judgment day, and that man must take action before everything is too late. He must live simply and righteous in accordance with Christ teaching. Through this, man simplifies the meaning of his existence giving him internal peace for being free from worldly fears and worries. The first book exemplifies the fashion to devout discipleship. Chapters 8, 9, 16, 20, 21 and 25 directly point out ways: 1. Spend time for solitude and silence where you depart yourselves from the world so your spirit grows. 2. Stay with God in your cell where you are free from earthly passions. 3. Discern to prepare your self to eternal life rather than wasting your time with things that pass. 4. Understand others fault and submit it entirely to God who is righteous and just. 5. Never condemn others by their wrong doings because you too commit the same or even more often. 6. Read the scriptures with humility and passion to profit spiritually. The book also pushes the idea of a monastic living to serve God. Absolute isolation from earthly passions pleases Him. Saints abandoned their lives to divinity. In this way, they walk closer to God. He emphasized that a good religious must practice a constant recollection for the renewal of faith for spiritual growth, and encourages to get involve to a true charity which is giving without expecting for reward and recognition, but for the glory of God alone. It will free him from human consolation and assure him of God’s providence. It assures the ultimate price of the sacrifice of a god fearing man. It strongly believes that everything will be paid off in heaven. The righteous life will be exalted and the sinful life will be punished. Hence, never afraid of death, yet be prepared of it as stated “The more we spare ourselves now and the more we satisfy the flesh, the harder will the reckoning be and the more we keep for the burning” (Book 1, Chapter 24, Paragraph 3). Book 2 (The Interior Life) starts with “Meditation”. John 14:23 says "If any one loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and will make Our abode with him." Clearly expresses the desire of God to live in man’s life and assurance of self-sufficiency by giving him a home. God will bless the man and strengthen his foundation so that nothing external can distract him. In contrary, a man without God would never be at ease as the book states - “… but the disturbed and discontented spirit is upset by many suspicions. He neither rests himself nor permits others to do so. He often says what ought not to be said and leaves undone what ought to be done. He is concerned with the duties of others but neglects his own” (Book 2, chapter 3, paragraph 2). Suggesting further- “There must be simplicity in his intention and purity in his desires. So he would see all things clearly and understand them rightly, for a pure heart penetrates to heaven and hell, and as a man is within, so he judges what is without” (Book 2, chapter 5, paragraph 1 and 2). God, with all his mercy is worthy to be praised. He’s giving us enough for what we deserved. But man often lost sight to those simple yet miraculous blessings of God. Man appreciates those blessings which satisfy his desires. Thomas, in this book criticized this attitude, as he says “Be grateful, therefore, for the least gift and you will be worthy to receive a greater. Consider the least gift as the greatest, the most contemptible as something special. And, if you but look to the dignity of the Giver, no gift will appear too small or worthless. Even though He gives punishments and scourges, accept them, because He acts for our welfare in whatever He allows to befall us” (Book 2, chapter10, paragraph 8). Sighting an example Thomas states “The saints who are greatest before God are those who consider themselves the least, and the more humble they are within themselves, so much the more glorious they are. Since they do not desire vainglory, they are full of truth and heavenly glory. Being established and strengthened in God, they can by no means be proud” (Book 2). The book 3 of the “The Imitation of Christ” contains 59 chapters talking on the internal consolation with Christ. Every line is nourished with the knowledge of true consolation. It discusses ways to strengthen the personal relationship with God through meditation, humbling of oneself, confession, true patience, obedience, etc. Narrowing down, it deliberates the proper attitude to live the teaching of Christ. This attitude is exemplified by Thomas Kempis’ prayer of devotion - “O Lord my God, You are all my good. And who am I that I should dare to speak to You? I am Your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say. Yet remember me, Lord, because I am nothing, I have nothing, and I can do nothing. You alone are good, just, and holy. You can do all things, You give all things, You fill all things: only the sinner do You leave empty-handed. Remember Your tender mercies and fill my heart with Your grace, You Who will not allow Your works to be in vain. How can I bear this life of misery unless You comfort me with Your mercy and grace? Do not turn Your face from me. Do not delay Your visitation. Do not withdraw Your consolation, lest in Your sight my soul become as desert land. Teach me, Lord, to do Your will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in Your sight, for You are my wisdom Who know me truly, and Who knew me even before the world was made and before I was born into it” (Book 3, chapter 3, paragraph 6). Fourth book invites everyone to the Holy Communion. God said, “COME to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. (Matt. 11:28) The bread which I will give is My Flesh, for the life of the world. (John 6:52) Take you and eat: this is My Body, which shall be delivered for you. Do this for the commemoration of Me. (1 Cor. 11:24) He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in him. (John 6:57) The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:64) This attests the desire of God to come unto the lives of men. The author accentuates the unworthiness of man for God’s love, and also exalts Him for coming down, for saving the world from sin. He says “I praise You, my God, and extol You forever! I despise myself and cast myself before You in the depths of my unworthiness. Behold, You are the Holy of holies, and I the scum of sinners! Behold, You bow down to me who am not worthy to look up to You! Behold, You come to me! You will to be with me! You invite me to Your banquet! You desire to give me heavenly food, the Bread of Angels to eat, none other than Yourself, the living Bread Who are come down from heaven and give life to the world.” (Book 4, Chapter 2, Paragraph 6). Furthermore, it heightens the benefits of man from the Holy Communion as chapter 4 states – “My soul longs for Your Body; my heart desires to be united with You. Give me Yourself -- it is enough; for without You there is no consolation. Without You I cannot exist, without Your visitation I cannot live. I must often come to You, therefore, and receive the strength of my salvation lest, deprived of this heavenly food, I grow weak on the way. You are sweet refreshment to the soul, and he who eats You worthily will be a sharer in, and an heir to, eternal glory”. As a whole, the book suggests a perfect discipleship to imitate Christ. Living his teaching is mortifying of one self from earthly passions – “The saints were able to obtain perfection because “they tried to mortify entirely in themselves all earthly desires, and thus they were able to attach themselves to God with all their heart and freely to concentrate their innermost thoughts” (Book 1, chapter 11, paragraph 2). He further argue that like saints he could attain a perfect discipleship by abandoning himself to God. Bibliography: Thomas A. kempis, The Imitation of Christ. November 5, 1940, U. S. A., The Bruce Publishing Company. Read More