The Imitation of Christ Thomas A Kempis III

VII What: 4 Books compromise the overall work. Kempis wrote many texts in his life. Some scholars will compare the Imitation of Kempis to that of Hamlet of Shakespeare. One way of understanding the Imitations structure is to compare it to the Bible. The Bible is a whole, but in reality, it is comprised of many individual Books. There is a discernable theme of overarching thread of the Bible from a Salvation Historical perspective if one knows how to read it in a historical chronological order.

Consider to just read it, not over think it. Giving mind a ladder to work on. Holy Spirit can lead areas for personal consideration. First go through, simply an instructive text. Become familiar, approach as a true devotional, slower, meditate on different sections.

Contra to the Bible in this regard, there is no beginning, middle or end for the Imitations. The overall theme is the pursuit of holiness which is similar to the Bible. Holiness defined as a living vibrant relationship with God.

VIII Thesis Statement: (Why for Kempis) The Imitation of Christ is a guidebook to a life of holiness whose end is God; the context in which we make the journey is the limited span of our earthly life.

This is the thesis statement for the Interior Castle, preparing a room worthy of His Majesty to dwell and moving swiftly to meet Him. With God dwelling at the center, the soul desires to love Him fully and completely.

Authentic masculine and feminine and elements in the Church. We as laity need to be both doers and receivers. Teresa feminie receiving, tabernacle bring forth Christ into the world. Kempis forming men, by XY, alter Christus. Teresa forming someone like Blessed Mother receiving Christ. Laity both roles receive and give in the world.

Dedication: Ralph & Valerie Sandoval
Book rested and was finished on Easter 1989. Our son, John, was born April 1989. Ralph & Valerie are his godparents. They introduced me to Bill Creasy.