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

2. How does the soul change during the dark night?

3. The soul starts to develop a habit of what during the dark night, as stated in Book I, Chapter XIII?

4. 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?

5. In Dark Night of the Soul, with what do slothful Christians have trouble aligning themselves?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does a Christian feel during the three kinds of pain that afflict him when the divine and human meet in one during the dark night, according to the author?

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. As described in Book II, Chapter, I, can a person who has passed through the night of darkness still be afflicted with other periods of darkness? Why?

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

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

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

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

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

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 knowledge and the experience of the dark night, as well as the ladder of spirituality, are considered secret. These occurrences are even defined as indescribable. With supporting examples, answer the following:

1) Why are the experiences of the dark night and the ladder of spirituality labeled as secret?

2) How does a person learn of the secret things from God? How does God leave no trail of his teachings?

3) Why are there no words to describe the learning the soul gains after passing through the dark night?

Essay Topic 3

While a believer is on the secret ladder of spirituality, the soul must wear a disguise. St. John is very specific in his depiction of the disguise and its purpose. Respond with supporting examples to the following:

1) What is the purpose of the disguise the soul wears while on the ladder? Can a soul reach unity with God without wearing a disguise?

2) List and define the different layers of the disguise as related by St. John.

3) What do each color and layer of the disguise represent?

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