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| Acknowledgments | |
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| Preface | |
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| Christian Life: A Journey | |
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| Pattern of the Journey | |
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| Analogies from the Developmental Sciences | |
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| A Helpful Paradigm | |
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| Biblical and Historical Sources | |
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| The Book and Spiritual Formation | |
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| Initial Orientation: Seeds of New Life | |
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| New Life in Christ | |
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| Delights of Salvation | |
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| Struggle with the Fallen Nature | |
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| Contemporary Examples | |
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| Enticements and Pleasures | |
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| Knowing and Doing | |
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| Spiritual Infancy and Adolescence | |
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| Additional Dangers and Threats | |
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| Moving Forward | |
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| Painful Disorientation: Seasons of Distress | |
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| Peaches and Cream? | |
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| Life's Inevitable Trials | |
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| Destabilizing the Soul | |
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| Experienced by Old-Covenant Souls | |
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| Engaged by New-Covenant People | |
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| Disorientation in Christian History | |
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| Affliction Hits Home | |
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| Redemptive Outcomes of Trials and Afflictions | |
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| Extreme Ascetic Afflictions | |
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| Comfort Amidst Trials | |
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| Painful Disorientation: | |
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| Understanding Why We Suffer | |
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| The Sinful Human Heart | |
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| The Fallen World Order | |
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| Satan and Demons | |
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| Life's Distressing Misfortunes | |
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| A Traumatic Life Transition | |
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| The Spirit of God | |
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| Redemptive Seasons | |
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| Painful Disorientation: Dark Night of the Soul | |
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| Well-Documented in Scripture | |
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| Experienced by Prominent Christians | |
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| Explained by John of the Cross | |
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| Interpreted by Other Christian Authorities | |
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| An Evangelical Assessment of the Dark Night | |
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| The Dark Night and Clinical Depression | |
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| Transformational Outcomes of the Dark Night | |
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| Painful Disorientation: Redemptive Responses | |
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| God and Disciples: Each Doing Our Part | |
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| Turn from All Known Sin | |
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| Be Assured of God's Lovingkindness | |
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| Express Feelings of Distress to God | |
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| Abandon All to God | |
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| Recognize the Value of Suffering in the Divine Economy | |
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| Journey to One's "Inner Sinai" | |
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| Praise God for Past Mercies | |
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| Walk with a Spiritual Companion | |
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| Reach Out to Others | |
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| Take Courage, Never Give Up! | |
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| Joyful Reorientation: Savor of Resurrection | |
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| Fresh Illumination | |
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| Radiance of Resurrection | |
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| Intimate Union | |
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| New Healing | |
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| Wisdom | |
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| Becoming a Child Again | |
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| Journey Outward | |
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| Living in Love | |
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| Contemplate Eternal Realities | |
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| We Shall Be Like Him | |
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| Conclusion | |
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| Our Appointed Goal | |
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| Jesus Our Course | |
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| The Inevitable Pressure | |
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| A Repetitive Pattern | |
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| Steady Progress | |
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| Joyful Arrival | |
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| Appendix: Spiritual Journey Paradigms: Classical and Contemporary | |
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| Notes | |
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| Index of Names | |
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| Scripture Index | |