The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

I wanted to start with something simple. The Imitation of Christ is profound in its simplicity. It is as basic as this: we are to imitate Christ. Thomas a Kempis has created a beautiful work that provokes one to meditation as well as action.

Here is our first selection:

Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth

At the very onset we are given the premise of the work; to truly be a follower of Christ, we must strive to conform to the mind of Christ.

"What good is it to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life that makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without the grace and the love of God?"

I don't think a Kempis is denouncing Reason in this passage. Reason is necessary. Tertullian said, "Reason without goodness is not reason, and goodness without reason is not goodness." I find that fascinating. I have noticed that in some streams of Christianity, Reason has (largely) gone out with the bathwater. "We have Faith," they say, "what do we need Reason for?" Are Faith and Reason incompatible? I don't think so. We have a reasonable faith. We have a God Who is infinitely intelligent and embodies Reason. As a matter of fact, He created it! Does that exclude Faith then? Of course not! We cannot comprehend the vastness of God, and therefore must use Faith in order to worship Him. We are finite beings worshipping a God Who is All in All. Faith is necessary, because without it, we would not be worshipping the true God, but one of our own making. Here, let me illustrate. Think of how perfect God is. Do you have the image? Ok, He is even more perfect than that. Your mind simply cannot conceive it.

Getting back to Tertullian, we need both Reason and Goodness. I believe that using the gifts that God has given is an act of devotion. Reason is a gift given by God. Goodness is also a gift given by God, since before we come to salvation in Christ, we cannot choose to do good. (Well, at least not for the right reasons.)

The purpose of this blog is to get people to think. But not just think. Thinking is great, but action must follow. I love that a Kempis from the get-go puts it all in perspective, "Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone." Yes, we are to "love God and enjoy Him forever", states Thomas Watson. It is our chief end.

To be continued.........