josiahdegraaf's review against another edition
3.0
A real mixed-bag. Some sections in the book were incredible and gave really good advice on how to draw closer to God and become more and more like Christ. Other sections, however, degraded into an unhelpful asceticism, and honestly, also tended to devalue the physical world and the company of others more than Scripture gives warrant. Example: Kempis will go on for several pages talking about the need to love God more than our friends. Parts of this are really true and really helpful for treasuring Christ above all else. But when Kempis begins talking about how friends are really rather useless, and how they it would be better to forsake them to spend more time with God, his argument becomes a lot more iffy.
In general, the first half of the book was better than the latter half. I read a section of the book a day for my devotions, and that seemed to be the best way to go through it since it encourages a more contemplative format. When on-point, Kempis was really on-point, and when off-point, he was really off-point. There is much gold in this book. But it requires sifting through a fair bit of fool's gold in order to get there.
Rating: 3 Stars (Fairly Good).
In general, the first half of the book was better than the latter half. I read a section of the book a day for my devotions, and that seemed to be the best way to go through it since it encourages a more contemplative format. When on-point, Kempis was really on-point, and when off-point, he was really off-point. There is much gold in this book. But it requires sifting through a fair bit of fool's gold in order to get there.
Rating: 3 Stars (Fairly Good).
iggymcmuffin's review against another edition
1.0
This was my first go at reading a devotional text, so this was a challenging read for me. It was well written and very pretty, which is I think is ironic because the author spends a great deal of time bemoaning the superfluity of words.
Thomas says a few things that I agree with, and if he had stopped there I would have given this book a higher rating. He talks about how prayers should be done in private, because it's more beneficial to you that way. He talks about how you should always be willing to accept criticism. He speaks about not forcing your views or religion on others and how they have to come to God on their own.
Sadly he also spends copious amounts of time railing about how unworthy he and everyone else is. How you should have no earthly loves. How everything pales in comparison to the next life. I'm scum, you're scum, everything you've ever done is scum and everything you've ever seen is scum and none of it is good enough for God. In fact most of it is implied to be sinful. He laments that the end times aren't here yet. I get the impression that if suicide wasn't a sin, Thomas be in favor of it. It's down right nihilistic.
Also I'm going to pick a bone with his dislike of knowledge, learning or questioning of any type. He says that because human knowledge is imperfect we shouldn't bother with learning anything at all. We shouldn't question the world around us or try to understand God or his commandments. We should continue in ignorant bliss and if we don't we'll be drowned in doubts. He doesn't subscribe to the belief that through understanding the world around us, we understand a bit of God's creation and are brought closer to him.
Finally, for someone who values humility so much there is nothing remotely humble about his burning love of Jesus and God and his hatred of all things natural.
Written by a monk and intended for monks, clearly.
Thomas says a few things that I agree with, and if he had stopped there I would have given this book a higher rating. He talks about how prayers should be done in private, because it's more beneficial to you that way. He talks about how you should always be willing to accept criticism. He speaks about not forcing your views or religion on others and how they have to come to God on their own.
Sadly he also spends copious amounts of time railing about how unworthy he and everyone else is. How you should have no earthly loves. How everything pales in comparison to the next life. I'm scum, you're scum, everything you've ever done is scum and everything you've ever seen is scum and none of it is good enough for God. In fact most of it is implied to be sinful. He laments that the end times aren't here yet. I get the impression that if suicide wasn't a sin, Thomas be in favor of it. It's down right nihilistic.
Also I'm going to pick a bone with his dislike of knowledge, learning or questioning of any type. He says that because human knowledge is imperfect we shouldn't bother with learning anything at all. We shouldn't question the world around us or try to understand God or his commandments. We should continue in ignorant bliss and if we don't we'll be drowned in doubts. He doesn't subscribe to the belief that through understanding the world around us, we understand a bit of God's creation and are brought closer to him.
Finally, for someone who values humility so much there is nothing remotely humble about his burning love of Jesus and God and his hatred of all things natural.
Written by a monk and intended for monks, clearly.
leelulah's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could review it more fairly, but lets say that I finally understood why this book is so important. it's honestly life changing, and it's been an excellent, thoughtfully made reading for Lent.
subluxfixer's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading this book. I think it has a lot of great things to say about how Christians might live their lives. I had an issue with the obvious Catholic bent in some places and also the potential arrogance of the author writing words that Jesus might say to a disciple. I say potential because I'm not sure if I am right in thinking the author is putting words in Jesus' mouth.
mattlikesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty fascinating examination of the Christian faith in practical terms. I only wish the writing was a bit less repetitive. However I cannot hold that against Kempis, as he was a monk with a practice of repetitive writing and intentional practice.
rein_77's review against another edition
4.0
Thomas A Kempis challenged me to follow Jesus with reverence, humility, passion, love, and discipline. Very ascetic at times and I don't always agree with his theology of the body. Yet, it gave me a picture of deep and honest devotion to Jesus and for that I'm grateful.
kyliebean4's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
The classic book that tells us to take up our cross and follow Jesus. This is a great book to read a chapter a day or so and then meditate upon that passage. Some chapters are more for the monks that he was writing for or maybe would not fit modern audiences as much, but in most cases, at least a nugget of truth or wisdom can be gained from them. And some chapters are just what I needed to hear. It definitely isn’t for everyone, probably only traditional Catholics or those that like the older writings of saints and such.
jrboyne's review against another edition
4.0
It is always a profound joy to worship the Creator with writings and authors who lived centuries ago. One great example of this is Thomas a Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ". This book is a collection of relatively short devotions and prayers meant to center the reader on Christ, His work, and how we are to live as He did. While the author correctly points to Scripture and the need to surrender one's self entirely to Christ, there are a number of lines that appear to point the believer to thinking that his works can make him right with God. This certainly isn't a universal trend in the devotions but they do occasionally stick out. Overall it is a great read and one to go back to again and again as you seek to live for Christ and rest in His joy.
sean67's review against another edition
5.0
Classic Christian literature, with a very positive reputation, and with some deserving as well.
Inspires, challenges and makes you grateful for great literature that can move you and demand that you change.
Well worth reading.
Inspires, challenges and makes you grateful for great literature that can move you and demand that you change.
Well worth reading.