This week in Christian history: John Eliot, Thomas à Kempis, Methodism comes to Australia

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Twitter

Thomas à Kempis dies – August 8, 1471

Late Medieval theologian Thomas à Kempis, generally considered to be the author of the influential devotional work 'Imitation of Christ.'
Late Medieval theologian Thomas à Kempis, generally considered to be the author of the influential devotional work "Imitation of Christ." | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of the death of Thomas à Kempis, a theologian and clergyman believed to be the author of the influential devotional Imitatio Christi (“Imitation of Christ”).

Kempis was born Thomas Hemerken in what is now Germany.

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“Remarkable for its simple language and style, it emphasizes the spiritual rather than the materialistic life, affirms the rewards of being Christ-centred, and supports Communion as a means to strengthen faith,” noted Britannica.

“His writings offer possibly the best representation of the devotio moderna (a religious movement created by Gerhard Groote, founder of the Brethren of the Common Life) that made religion intelligible and practicable for the ‘modern’ attitude arising in the Netherlands at the end of the 14th century.”

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