Thomas Kempis (1380–1471) was a German-Dutch cannon regular, a category of clerics in the Catholic Church who live together in a vow-based religious community. He is credited with authorship of the devotional manual The Imitation of Christ, which emphasizes the importance of focusing on one’s interior life and maintaining strict dedication to Christ.
With his focus on Christian devotional issues, Kempis is less concerned about the substantive theological responses that can be offered to the great intellectual challenges of Christianity, such as the problem of evil. Instead, he addresses his attention to the proper attitude that man should adopt when contemplating the mysteries of God, writing that the person who trusts too much in himself to unravel the grand questions of divinity will surely end in self-deception, for God only reveals the answers to such mysteries to the humble and faithful. If answers are not given to us, our task is to continue in our faith, committing to God that which we do not understand. With respect to man’s experience of evil and suffering, Kempis states that temporal miseries are to be borne with equanimity after the example of Christ. The excerpts below center on these issues.
The Third Book, Chapter 18
MY SON, I descended from heaven for thy salvation; I took upon me thy miseries, not necessity but charity drawing me thereto; that thou thyself mightest learn patience, and bear temporal miseries without grudging.
For from the hour of my birth, even until my death on the cross, I was not without suffering of grief.
I suffered great want of things temporal, I often heard many complaints against me, I endured meekly disgraces and revilings; in return for benefits I received ingratitude, for miracles, blasphemies, for [heavenly] doctrine, reproofs.
2. O Lord, for that thou wert patient in thy lifetime, herein especially fulfilling the commandment of thy Father; it is a reason that I, a most miserable sinner, should bear myself patiently according to thy will, and for my soul’s welfare endure the burden of this corruptible life as long as thou thyself shall choose for me.
For although this present life is burdensome, yet notwithstanding it is now by thy grace made very gainful; and by thy example and the footsteps of thy saints, more clear and endurable to the weak.
It is, too, much more full of consolation than it was, formerly in the old law, when the gate of heaven remained shut; and the way also to heaven seemed more obscure, when so few concerned themselves to seek after the kingdom of heaven.
Moreover also they who then were just and such as should be saved, could not enter into the heavenly kingdom, before thy Passion, and the due payment of our debt by thy holy death.
3. Oh, what great thanks am I bound to render unto thee, that thou hast agreed to show unto me and to all faithful people the good and the right way to thine eternal kingdom.
For thy life is our way, and by holy patience we walk toward thee, who art our Crown.
If thou hadst not gone before us and taught us, who would have cared to follow!
Alas, how many would remain behind and afar off, if they considered not thy most noble example!
Behold, we are even yet cold, though we have heard of so many of thy miracles and doctrines; what would become of us, if we had not so great Light whereby to follow thee!
The Fourth Book, Chapter 18
2. It is a blessed simplicity when a man leaves the difficult ways of questions and disputings, and goes on forward in the plain and firm path of God’s commandments.
Many have lost devotion while they sought to search into things too high.
Faith is required at thy hands, and a sincere life, not height of understanding, nor deep inquiry into the mysteries of God.
If thou dost not understand, nor conceive these things that are under thee, how shalt thou be able to comprehend those that are above thee?
Submit thyself unto God, and humble thy sense to faith, and the light of knowledge shall be given thee, in such degree as shall be profitable and necessary for thee.
3. Some are grievously tempted about faith and the holy sacrament; this is not to be imputed to themselves, but rather to the enemy.
Be not thou anxious; do not dispute with thine own thoughts, nor give any answer to doubts suggested by the devil; but trust the words of God, trust his saints and prophets, and the wicked enemy will flee from thee.
It oftentimes is very profitable to the servant of God to endure such things.
For the devil tempts not unbelievers and sinners, whom he has already secure possession of, but faithful and religious devout persons he in various ways tempts and vexes.
4. Go forward therefore with simple and undoubting faith, and with the reverence of a supplicant approach thou this holy sacrament; and whatsoever thou art not able to understand, commit securely to Almighty God.
God deceiveth thee not; he is deceived that trusteth too much to himself.
God walketh with the simple, revealeth himself to the humble, giveth understanding to the little ones, openeth the sense to pure minds, and hideth grace from the curious and proud.
Human reason is feeble and may be deceived, but true faith can not be deceived.
5. All reason and natural search ought to follow faith, not to go before it, nor to break in upon it.
Thomas Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, ed. Paul Bechtel and Rosalie De Rosset.