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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. According to St. John, what strong desire does a new Christian experience?

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

3. In Book I, Chapter X, what can people become if they do not recognize they are going through the dark night?

4. What does the author say the devil uses against beginners who have pride?

5. When entering into the dark night, what does God cause the soul of the person to simply desire, according to Book I, Chapter IX?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. In Dark Night of the Soul, what is spiritual sloth?

6. In Dark Night of the Soul, what is the difference between habitual imperfections and actual imperfections?

7. In Book II, Chapter V, what reasons are given for the dark night to be named "dark" and not "light"?

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

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

10. What does St. John say must change in a person in order for the divine and the human to exist within the same person?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

St. John describes two different types of imperfections that proficient Christians are troubled by; these must be removed during the dark night. Using examples from the text, respond to the following questions:

1) What are the two types of imperfections a proficient Christian suffers from?

2) Which imperfection is disastrous for the soul and leaves the soul open to evil influence?

3) Which imperfection can be removed from the spirit during the dark night? Why must it be removed before emerging from the dark night?

Essay Topic 2

The length of the dark night of spirituality and how much pain a soul has to endure is different for every person. Using supporting examples, please respond with an essay to the following:

1) Why does the duration of the dark night and the amount of pain experienced by a soul vary from person to person?

2) Who has the final say in the duration and intensity of the dark night?

3) What is the fate of a soul who is chosen to have extremely intense darkness?

Essay Topic 3

The seven deadly sins recognized by the Catholic Church are said to be an evil influence in a beginning Christian's life. St. John wrote how a new believer was strongly influenced by these sins in Dark Night of the Soul. Write an essay answering the following with support:

1) What are the seven deadly sins that plague a beginning Christian's life as described by St. John?

2) How do these sins influence the way a person acts in relationship to one's faith in Christianity?

3) How are these sins overcome in a person's life?

(see the answer keys)

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