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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 authors quote a state of pain so extreme for the soul it can find no comfort?

2. In Book II, Chapter I, what does the beginning Christian become after passing through the dark night?

3. During the dark night according to the author, when attachments are stripped away, a Christian might feel as if what is happening?

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

5. When a man searches for God in a divine way, the spirit and the soul of that person are transformed into what, according to Book II, Chapter V?

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. Why does the author quote the sufferings of Job and Jeremias in Book II, Chapter VII?

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

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

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

6. 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?

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

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

9. How does a soul feel while experiencing the dark night and what happens during any period of rest in the dark night in Book II, Chapter VII?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The light of divine illumination comes only after a soul has experienced the dark night. St. John explains divine light by referencing the rays of sunlight. Respond to the following with supporting examples:

1) What is divine light?

2) Explain how divine light acts similarly to sunlight.

3) Why does divine light only illuminate within a soul that has passed through the dark night?

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

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?

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