James Watkins is Re-Editing "The Imitation of Christ" Into Easy-to-Read Devotions for Today

Coming on January 12, James Watkins has edited the Christian classic The Imitation of Christ. He has updated it into modern English and arranged topically for daily devotions. The Imitation of Christ is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the Bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Its popularity was immediate, and it was printed 745 times before 1650. Apart from the Bible, no book has been translated into more languages than the Imitation of Christ 

James Watkins has taken those words and reworked them into sixty daily readings, arranged by topic. Whether for daily devotions or for sound insight into a particular issue, Watkins paraphrase blends the ancient with the modern to introduce this classic to a new audience, speaking to all Christians with credibility and authority and using inclusive language not found in the original. The new book has 90 daily readings; they are short and understandable devotions reworked in modern and readable language. 

James Watkins is the author of sixteen books including Death & Beyond, which won a Campus Life "Book of the Year" award, and The Why Files series, which was honored with a Christian Retailer's Choice award. He serves as associate acquisitions editor at Wesleyan Publishing House (Indianapolis) and has won four Evangelical Press Association awards for editing. He is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a BA in Theology and his graduate work is in communications at Ball State University and Purdue University. 

Here's an excerpt of one of the devotions:

These are the words of Christ: "If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness" (John 8:12). They teach us how thoroughly we must imitate his life and character if we desire true understanding and freedom from our own deceptive hearts and minds. And so, may we earnestly study and meditate on the life of Jesus Christ.

Christ's teachings surpass all of the great holy writers of the past. If we have his Spirit, we find spiritual nourishment. Unfortunately there are many people who frequently hear the words of Christ but have little desire to follow them and so do not have the mind of Christ.

What does it profit us to engage in deep discussions about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit if we lack humility and are displeasing to God? Truly, deep and profound words do not make a person holy and upright, but a good life is what makes us dear to God. I would rather experience sorrow for my ungodly thoughts and actions than simply be skillful in defining "repentance." If we know the whole Bible and the teachings of all the philosophers, what does all this benefit us without the love and grace of God? It is completely futile unless we love God and serve only him. This is the highest wisdom: to put earthly values behind us and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom.

It is futile to strive for earthly things and to trust in riches that will perish. It is futile to desire honors and lift up ourselves. It is futile to be ruled by the desires of our physical body, for this will only bring misery in the end. It is futile to desire a long life and to care little for a good life. It is futile to concentrate on the here and now and not look forward to the things which are eternal. It is futile to love temporary things and not strive toward eternal joy.

Always keep this saying in mind: "The eye is not satisfied with visible things. Neither is the ear content with hearing." And so, let us strive to turn our hearts from the love of things that are visible and concentrate on the things that are invisible. If we are controlled by our own physi¬cal desires, we will corrupt our conscience and destroy the grace of God. Book 1 Chapter 1

This is what critics are saying about the book:

"The Imitation of Christ is one of the great spiritual works of the Church. More than five hundred years later, it remains not just a classic, but a road map to the life the Lord wants each of us to live."
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan: Archbishop of New York

"This book makes me angry. Not only because I didn't think of it, but also because I could never have done the thorough, sensitive, beautiful job James N. Watkins has done in updating Thomas à Kempis's, The Imitation of Christ, into a modern classic of ninety riveting readings. I need this book. And so does everyone I know."
Bob Hostetler, best-selling author of Don't Check Your Brains at the Door

"This influential book is an incredible gift to this century. James Watkins has stayed true to the original text but in language that continues to speak from the soul of Thomas à Kempis to the soul of a twenty-first century seeker. A message for which our world has deep hunger. This is literally a soul-changing, ultimately world changing book; a must for every person serious about being a Christ-follower."
Jo Anne Lyon: White House adviser on faith, general superintendent of The Wesleyan Church

"The Imitation of Christ devotional is truly a gift to the church. Watkins provides timeless, profound truths in everyday language, introducing modern Christians to the power of Thomas à Kempis' words and life's work. A deeply moving, wholly convicting, and truly life-altering book."
Mary DeMuth: author of Worth Living: How God's Wild Love for You Changes Everything

 

 

 

 

Tags : james watkins imitation of christ thomas akempis james watkins new book james watkins news