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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 are souls on the sixth step granted, according to St. John?

2. What state does St. John say the soul is in when it has a chance to escape from bondage of the world?

3. What happened to Jeremias and Moses after being infused with the wisdom of God?

4. St. John says that the knowledge of the divine come to the soul in what way?

5. What does the author say the soul experiences, even during the dark night?

Short Essay Questions

1. How can the soul experience the presence of God while in the dark night, as described by the author in Book II, Chapter XIII?

2. How does St. John conclude his book in the final chapter?

3. What does St. John explain about his poem, "Stanza of the Soul," in Book II, Chapter XXII?

4. As discussed in Book II, Chapter XXIV, when will the soul finally find peace and rest? Why?

5. In Book II, Chapter XII, how does the desire of God influence understanding and love on a believer passing through the dark night?

6. In Book II, Chapter XI, what does the author say the soul will want to do after it has received the love for God?

7. In Book II, Chapter XV, why does the soul praise the darkness that causes so much pain?

8. Why is the experience of the dark night and the spiritual ladder called "secret," as explained by the author?

9. In Book II, Chapter XXI, what are the colors of the disguise of the soul on the secret ladder, and what do they represent?

10. Why does the author say that people who have never passed through the dark night understand spiritual freedom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Angels are mentioned throughout the text of Dark Night of the Soul and have specific qualities described by St. John. Please respond to the following with examples from the text that support your answer:

1) How are angels portrayed in the text with similar qualities as humans?

2) How does an angel become closer to God in spirituality?

3) What do both angels and humans experience which provides them with a commonality?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

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