View a FREE sample

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 replaces spiritual anxiety after passing through the dark night?

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

3. What is the reason for the disturbances within a man during the dark night, according to Book II, Chapter VIII?

4. What does St. John say happens after a person is involved in spiritual activities for wrath to enter into a beginner's life?

5. How many important points are made in Book II, Chapter X, about the purification process?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Book I, Chapter XI, what is the Christian's new desire upon being ignited with the spirit of love?

3. How must a believer react when first realizing he has entered the dark night, according to Book I, Chapter X?

4. How does the author describe the condition of beginners on their journey of faith?

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

6. Why must the soul face the darkness even though there is only misery there, as described in Book II, Chapter IX?

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

8. 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.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are seven points that the author describes about the understanding of divine fire. This fire is special and consumes and purifies the soul at the same time. Use supporting examples to respond to the following:

1) List at least four understandings of divine fire that St. John describes in Dark Night of the Soul.

2) How is divine fire of the soul similar to a log burning in a real fire?

3) How does the comparison of divine fire to a real fire illustrate the concept of a soul burning in purgatory?

Essay Topic 2

The soul becomes transformed after passing through the dark night and starts to yearn and becomes overwhelmed with the power and depth of God. Answer the following with supporting examples:

1) How does the soul act after receiving a love for God after passing through the dark night?

2) Why does the soul enter into a restless state after understanding the power of God's love?

3) Why would the soul miss the spirit of God if it were ever to leave?

Essay Topic 3

St. John of the Cross was a very important person in the reformation of the Carmelite order of the Church and has been extremely influential in the history of the Christian faith. Please respond to the following with supporting facts:

1) How did St. John's life influence his faith?

2) How did St. John's faith influence his career?

3) What was St. John's purpose in writing Dark Night of the Soul?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 943 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample