Thomas 'a Kempis - Devotio Moderna - Lutheranism

[miamaximaculpa]

Good afternoon,

I was listening to a CD from “Now You Know Media” about spirituality, and the Professor said something matter of factly, but did not flesh out fully his thought on the matter, and I’ve trying to do it myself.

It was about the book The Imitation of Christ by Thomas 'Kempis, and the spirituality therein, which the lecturer was not discussing in a positive tone.

In my trying to find out why, I see that A’Kempis was a member of Brethren of the Common Life/Devotio Moderna.

My sources are Wikipedia, which are always suspect. Be that as it may, Wiki notes that Luther for a time was associated with this movement.

I was aware that this movement was in response to the observed corruption or lack of “walking the talk” in the late Medieval period by clergy, and was a lay response for personal piety perhaps in spite of the examples they were seeing in the clergy.

Wiki also notes that Luther was for a short time a member of this community. Didn’t know that. It also noted that …“Devotio Moderna recommended a more individual attitude towards belief and religion. It is regarded sometimes as a contributing factor for Lutheranism and Calvinism.” Hmmm… That’s troubling.

Some of the other things Wiki noted that I fond of interest was: …"The concept of immersing and projecting oneself into a Biblical scene about the life of Jesus … became popular among the Devotio Moderna community. "

Also according to Wiki, A’Kempis, who was a member Devotio Moderna, and his Imitation of Christ heavily influenced Ignatius Loyola and his Spiritual Exercises. Having done the Exercises on retreat, I see the “see yourself in the scene” visualizaitions are prevalent.

So my point is, can anyone recommend a non-Wiki source that explains the influence of this movement, and their spirituality; positively and/or negatively?

Thanks

 

[Mintaka]

Devotio Moderna was just a renewal movement encouraging laypeople to have more of a prayer and meditation life, in a way adapted from monastic life but suitable for people living in the world. It was generally a good influence. Ideas like picturing yourself present at a Scriptural event weren’t even new. St. Ephrem of Syria back in early Christian times had plenty of sermons where he asked people to picture things, and the technique wasn’t new when he did it.

As with any other holy help, including Sacred Scripture and the Mass, some people managed to drag down perfectly nice things by putting their own wishes ahead of holiness.

As with any holy help, plenty of people used the movement to become more holy and to love God more.

However, there was definitely an incentive for Reformation people, or pro-Reformation historians, to try to claim folks like Thomas a Kempis as predecessors. Otherwise, they’d have to admit, “Oh, yeah, we just pulled all this stuff out of our butts.” So there are editions of Thomas a Kempis out there, where somebody pulled out everything Catholic, or where there are notes carefully explaining away the Catholic meaning of things he says.