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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. Why is the soul uncertain of finding its way out in the dark night, according to Book II, Chapter VII?

2. In Dark Night of the Soul, the power of hell would have no power over the soul if there were no what in the human soul?

3. That author writes that during the dark night while purging the soul, a Christian might feel so much pain that is seems as he is where?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. In Book II, Chapter VIII, why is the inability to pray or the feeling that prayers are not reaching God in the dark night not a problem?

10. What are the symptoms of the sin of pride, according to St. John?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The second night of darkness inflicts even greater pain upon the soul than the first night. Answer the following questions with supporting examples:

1) Why is the second night of darkness even more painful than the first?

2) What happens to the soul after periods of rest during this night? Why?

3) What examples from the Bible does St. John use to help illustrate the pain of the second night of darkness?

Essay Topic 2

There are ten steps on the secret ladder of spirituality, as described by St. John in Dark Night of the Soul. The soul begins to climb this ladder after passing the dark night. Respond to the following questions with examples that support your answer:

1) From where does the imagery of the spiritual ladder come?

2) What are the ten steps on the ladder?

3) How does a soul reach the last step on the ladder? What does that say about the divine properties of the ladder?

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)

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