Medieval Mystic Thomas à Kempis poses a transformative call to action
In the heart of the Netherlands, during the 14th and 15th centuries, a spiritual movement known as Devotio Moderna (the New Devotion) took root, with the Brothers of the Common Life playing a significant role. One of its members, Thomas à Kempis, would become a renowned Christian theologian and author of one of the most influential devotional books after the Bible – The Imitation of Christ.
Born around 1380 in Kempen, near the German-Dutch border, Thomas à Kempis studied at the Latin School in Deventer, a prestigious institution that also nurtured the minds of Erasmus and the Dutch Pope Adrian VI. Education, according to Johannes Cele, a pioneer educationalist, was primarily about norms and values, not facts and figures.
Thomas à Kempis later joined the Windesheim congregation, a community of Augustinian canons regular, dedicating his life to religious service, manuscript copying, and guiding novices. It was during this period that he penned The Imitation of Christ, a work written between 1420 and 1427, likely as a set of instructional booklets for novices in his community.
The Imitation of Christ emphasizes spiritual devotion through simplicity, humility, and the inner life of the believer, rather than intellectual or academic theological debates. The work centers on the image of Christ as a suffering figure to be imitated by Christians, promoting a personal relationship with God that values humility and practical piety over pride or philosophical speculation.
The significance of The Imitation of Christ lies in its enduring impact on Christian spirituality worldwide. It has been regarded as a foundational text for personal devotion and mysticism, influencing countless readers over centuries. Its straightforward, contemplative approach to following Christ has made it a spiritual classic beyond its original monastic audience.
The Brethren of the Common Life ran their schools in the old quarter of Zwolle, teaching up to a thousand pupils from near and far. One of these schools was developed by Johannes Cele, who introduced radical innovations such as setting pupils in classes according to age, holding examinations, and older pupils mentoring the younger ones.
Mount St Agnietenberg, just outside the city of Zwolle, was the location where Thomas à Kempis spent a significant portion of his life. A small shrine where his original grave was located has been expanded into a large cemetery. However, the former monastery on Mount St Agnietenberg is now mostly reduced to a pile of bricks and tiles.
Despite the passage of time, the influence of Thomas à Kempis and the Brethren of the Common Life continues to resonate. The Imitation of Christ has been translated into over fifty languages and has had over five thousand editions. Notable figures such as former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammerskjold, ex-President Bill Clinton, Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, have all been avid readers of the book.
In the late Middle Ages, the influence of the Brethren elevated Zwolle and Deventer to become the intellectual axis of Northern Europe. Today, a large stone monument in the center of the glade at Mount St Agnietenberg serves as a testament to the life and work of Thomas à Kempis, with the inscription reading, "Here lived Thomas à Kempis in the service of the Lord and wrote The Imitation of Christ, 1406-1471."
References: [1] "The Imitation of Christ." Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2021. www.britannica.com [2] "Thomas a Kempis." Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2021. www.britannica.com
