Given that Thomas a Kempis' Imitation of Christ is one of the most frequently translated and read late medieval books of devotion, it is surprising that there are few studies of the work in English. This book fills the void by offering an explication of Thomas' spiritual theology in the Imitation, while situating him in his late medieval monastic context and as someone familiar with and influenced by the Modern Devotion and the Sisters and Brothers of the Common Life. Thomas' emphasis on grace and his dependence on Augustine of Hippo show, to some extent, that he anticipated theological developments of the Protestant Reformation. At the same time, Thomas' eucharistic spirituality, so central to his overall spiritual theology, is quintessentially medieval. Thomas' vision of the spiritual life was expansive and all-inclusive, rich and accessible for both the monk and the devout follower and imitator of Jesus Christ who lived in the world. Thomas' spirituality is for everyone, a synthesis of Christian thought that steers away from the late medieval Scholastic theologies of the university towards a monastic theology and spirituality for anyone who desires to follow Jesus Christ devoutly. His vision remains relevant for all twenty-first-century Christian believers.
Industry Reviews
“In the English language area it has been relatively quiet around Thomas à Kempis for a long time. If any good studies appeared, they often passed the general public by. In this book Greg Peters makes a courageous and much needed attempt to bring the meaning of this influential spiritual writer back to the attention of the public. It contains good and surprising insights into both the life and work of a man who, because of his familiarity with Christ through Scripture and his great psychological empathy, still reaches many readers today.”
—P. (Paul) J. J. van Geest, Tilburg University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, KU Leuven
“Who purifies the heart makes room inwardly for God. The more we work on our interior, the less individualistic we become and the more we grow in communion with each other. This is the message of Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of Christ, beautifully explained by Greg Peters to be a book that belongs to its own age but is still relevant today.”
—Charles Caspers, Titus Brandsma Institute, Nijmegen
“This book is a well-written introduction in the spiritual theology of Thomas à Kempis, the writer of the famous Imitation of Christ. It gives access to the richness of this unique source of life. Everyone living in this challenging world and desiring to follow Jesus Christ devoutedly may drink from this well. Simplicity and depth are the entrances into this treasure of Christian mysticism.”
—Kees Waaijman, Titus Brandsma Institute, Nijmegen
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