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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. St. John writes that because of the goodness of God's divine wisdom, the soul actually feels as if it is being what?

2. In Dark Night of the Soul, what does the soul wait for in the second night of darkness?

3. Beginners suffering from gluttony will find it hard to travel the "Road of" what, according to St. John?

4. What do beginners have to go through to increase their strength and lose their imperfections, according to Book I, Chapter 1?

5. In Book II, Chapter IV, what is purged on the second night of darkness?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What are some of the benefits described in Book I, Chapter XIII of a soul that has been purified by the dark night?

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

5. How does the author compare divine light to sunlight?

6. In Book II, Chapter X, how does the divine fire of God teach about the state of souls in purgatory?

7. What is the difference between a symptom of the dark night from sin and actually going through the dark night, according to St. John?

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

9. In Book I, Chapter XII, what is the main benefit for the soul as it travels through the night of darkness?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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 are signs that a person's soul is starting to enter the dark night; however these signs are sometimes confused with a soul that is suffering from a sinful existence. Answer the following questions with supporting examples:

1) What are the symptoms a person's soul experiences when beginning to enter into the dark night?

2) What are some of the signs a person is suffering from a sinful existence and not really entering into the dark night?

3) How many people truly enter the dark night? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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