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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the soul become enkindled with during the dark night, according to Book II, Chapter X?

2. On what does the author expound, in Book I, Chapter XI?

3. What is the theme of Book I, Chapter IV?

4. St. Johns states that believers react to God similarly to what?

5. What is disturbed by divine purgation, according to Book II, Chapter VIII?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author compare the use of fire to the purification process a person experiences during the dark night?

2. Describe how the devil uses spiritual activity to place an impure thought in a believer's head, as described in Dark Night of the Soul.

3. How does St. John say a person changes when his spirit becomes united with God and how does his understanding of love change?

4. How does God determine how severe a person's trial will be through the dark night?

5. What is the purpose of the Dark Night of the Soul as described in the prologue?

6. In Book I, Chapter III, what are the symptoms of the sin of avarice?

7. In Book I, Chapter VI, why are new believers especially prone to the sin of gluttony?

8. What are the three types of pain that result from human and divine meeting in one, as discussed in Book II, Chapter VI?

9. What happens during the first night of the dark night, as discussed in Book II, Chapter III?

10. What does St. John say causes the sin of wrath and how does a believer allow this to become a sin in his life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many benefits a soul will gain when first entering into the dark night. The lessons that the soul is taught during this time is the way to unification with God. Using supporting examples, answer the following questions:

1) What does the soul learn while first entering into the dark night?

2) What is the benefit of a soul understanding it is weak and miserable?

3) What does the phrase "growing up in Christ" mean in relation to the soul?

Essay Topic 2

Angels are mentioned throughout the text of Dark Night of the Soul and have specific qualities described by St. John. Please respond to the following with examples from the text that support your answer:

1) How are angels portrayed in the text with similar qualities as humans?

2) How does an angel become closer to God in spirituality?

3) What do both angels and humans experience which provides them with a commonality?

Essay Topic 3

There is a separation between the will and the emotions within a person. St. John describes this separation as the reason why the soul can journey through the dark night. Respond with supporting examples:

1) How is the will free from emotions within a human?

2) Why does the soul recognize what it needs and the will of a person does not?

3) How is the separation of the will and the emotions required for a person to pass through the dark night?

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