Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments wh
The work emphasizes the futility of questioning divine judgments and the merits of saints, urging readers to refrain from engaging in disputes about God's hidden ways. It asserts that human understanding is insufficient to grasp the complexities of divine will, and that such inquiries often lead to pride and discord. Instead, the text encourages humility and a focus on personal spiritual growth, highlighting that true greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is found in humility and childlike faith. The author stresses that all saints are united in love for God, transcending personal merit and human affection. The text warns against the dangers of comparing saints or seeking to elevate one over another, as this can lead to division and misunderstanding. It emphasizes that the saints, while exalted, remain humble and attribute all goodness to God, recognizing their dependence on divine grace. Readers are reminded that knowledge of who is greatest among the saints serves little purpose unless it leads to greater humility and praise for God. The work calls for a focus on one's own sins and virtues rather than on the status of others, promoting a spirit of contentment and reverence for God's will. The text concludes with a reminder of the importance of humility, particularly in the context of entering the Kingdom of Heaven. It warns against the pride of those who consider themselves above others and encourages the faithful to embrace a humble disposition, assuring them that the humble and poor in spirit are the true heirs of God's kingdom.
By Thomas à Kempis · First published 1654 · Genre: Theology, Spirituality, Philosophy · 1,300 words
First lines
"My Son, beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden judgments of God; why this man is thus left, and that man is taken into so great favour; why also this man is so greatly afflicted, and that so highly exalted. These things pass all man's power of judging, neither may any reasoning or disputation have power to search out the divine judgments. When therefore the enemy suggesteth these things to thee, or when any curious people ask such questions, answer with that word of the Prophet, ‘Just art Thou, O Lord, and true is Thy judgment,'141 and with this, ‘The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. '142 My judgments are to be feared, not to be disputed on, because they are incomprehensible to human understanding.
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Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments which are not to be Inquired Into is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas à Kempis, dated 1654 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Thomas à Kempis
- Date: 1654 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Devotional Literature, Christian Literature
- Length: 1,300 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
- That A Man Should Not Be A Curious Searcher Of The Sacrament But A Humble Imitator Of Christ Submitting His Sense To Holy Faith by Thomas A. Kempis
- That The Grace Of God Doth Not Join Itself To Those Who Mind Earthly Things by Thomas A. Kempis
- That The Body And Blood Of Christ And The Holy Scriptures Are Most Necessary To A Faithful Soul by Thomas A. Kempis
- A Devout Exhortation To The Holy Communion by Thomas A. Kempis
- That The Greatness And Charity Of God Is Shown To Men In The Sacrament by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Fervent Love And Vehement Desire Of Receiving Christ by Thomas A. Kempis
Genres
- Theology — The book explores deep theological concepts regarding God's judgments and the nature of the Saints.
- Spirituality — It emphasizes spiritual growth, humility, and the pursuit of divine love.
- Philosophy — The text engages with philosophical questions about human understanding and divine mysteries.
- Devotional Literature — It serves as a guide for personal devotion and reflection on one's relationship with God.
Tags
Mysticism · Spirituality · Theology · Philosophy · Christianity · Devotional · Literary Nonfiction · Religious Texts · Inspirational · Self-Improvement · Faith · Belief
More by Thomas à Kempis
- Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all its Vanities (1441)
- Of Thinking Humbly of Oneself (1441)
- Of the Knowledge of Truth (1441)
- Of Prudence in Action (1518)
- Of the Reading of Holy Scripture (1441)
- Of Inordinate Affections (1441)
- Of Fleeing from Vain Hope and Pride (1940)
- Of the Danger of too Much Familiarity (1904)
- All works by Thomas à Kempis