Is the 'Dark Night of the Soul' an experience we find in Scripture?

Answer 1

Certainly that was what Abraham had as told in Genesis chapter 15. He had just recued Lot and others from marauding kings. Melchizedek then met him to bless him. Chapter 15 then says, 'After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision...' The promised heir was affirmed to Abram who then asked God for reassurance that he would inherit the promised land. God told him to lay out sacrifices in two rows. Abraham had to drive off birds of prey. As dusk fell, 'Abram fell into a deep sleep and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.' God spoke in the darkness to tell him what would happen after his death. After sunset a smoking brazier with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces and the covenant was sealed.

This is the biblical origin of 'the dark night of the soul', instigated by God himself. We are inclined to gloss over this 'thick and dreadful darkness' God can bring down but it must be quite terrifying. It is also unlikely to be much like our own ideas of a dark night of our soul.

Answer 2

The term and metaphysicality of the phrase "dark night of the soul" are taken from the writings of the Spanish poet and Roman Catholic mystic Saint John of the Cross, a Carmelite priest in the 16th century. Dark Night of the Soul is the name of both a poem, and a commentary on that poem, and are among the Carmelite priest's most famous writings. They tell of his mystic development and the stages he went through on his quest for holiness.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the 19th-century French Carmelite underwent a similar experience, centering on doubts about the afterlife. She reportedly told her fellow nuns: "If you only knew what darkness I am plunged into."
While generally the crisis is considered to be temporary in nature, on occasion it may be extended: the "dark night" of St. Paul of the Cross in the 18th century lasted 45 years; he ultimately recovered. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, according to letters released in 2007, "may be the most extensive such case on record", lasting from 1948 till her death in 1997, with only brief interludes

Although the Bible does not use this term, there were certainly persons in the scriptures who temporarily lost faith. The Psalmist Asaph comes to mind. (See Psalm 73) However, none of the instances recorded in the Bible were of a mystic nature.

Answer 3

My God,My God,why have you forsaken me? Jesus experienced this darkness on the Cross for our sake and some strong souls(especially some who have had intense experience of mystical union with God) are given this 'taking up of the Cross"
Many of the personal lament psalms reflect that experience

Answer 4

A temporary loss of faith is not a metaphysical experience and it is not what Jesus or Abraham experienced. In neither of those instances did Jesus or Abraham lose faith.

Answer 5

Still attacking Mother Theresa? Sad.

Answer 6

None that I remember.