Routledge Catholic and Protestant Translations of the Imitatio Christi, 1425–1650: From Late Medieval Classic to Early Modern Bestseller (St. Andrews Studies in Reformation History)

Catholic and Protestant Translations of the Imitatio Christi, 1425-1650 "The Imitatio Christi" is considered one of the classic texts of Western spirituality. There were 800 manuscript copies and more than 740 different printed editions of the "Imitatio" between its composition in the 15th century and 1650. This book explores the longevity of the text across geographical, linguistic and confessional boundaries. Full description Review "Von Habsburg’s study will be of great value to readers interested in the history of late medieval and early modern times; the theology of the Jesuits, Ignatius of Loyola, or the Reformed figures who valued The Imitation of Christ, or the important theme of imitation as a devotional practice. It is also a helpful starting point for considering the appeal to imitation within modern Christian ethics." - H. H. Drake Williams III, Evangelische Theologische Faculteit Leuven, Belgium and Tyndale Theological Seminary, Amsterdam, the Netherlands 'This is a historico-theological-bibliographic study of the reception by selected Protestants and Catholics of Thomas à Kempis’s Imitation of Christ... a fine study that well repays careful reading.' - Catholic Historical Review '... this study provides an illuminating compendium of information and ideas about the role of the Imitatio in the early modern period.' - Renaissance Quarterly 'This work on the spiritual classic The Imitation of Christ, now attributed to Thomas à Kempis, is particularly valuable because it introduces English readers to important Protestant and Catholic European editions and translations of the work... The Introduction and Conclusion are of great value to the non-specialist reader because of their summary of the content of the chapters, many of which are inevitably densely bibliographical and technical.' - Recusant History '... the book provides a fine inventory and description of the editions discovered.' - Bijdragen, International Journal in Philosophy and Theology 'This is an important book that will be read with interest by historians of medieval and early modern religion.' - The Medieval Review 'Von Habsburg’s work on devotion is indeed a labor of devotion; in his research he consulted over 300 copies of the text. His composition is painstaking and meticulous, as he details, analyses, and explains the Imitatio, its translations, and its transmission... This monograph, though orientated primarily to scholars, has important insights for anyone interested in the history of spirituality.' - Lutheran Quarterly