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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 Augustine begin to understand from studying the books in question 104?

2. Who is buried near the Tiber River?

3. Why does Augustine believe it is not the motion of the heavenly bodies that determines the length of a day?

4. What story does Augustine learn from a man named Firminus?

5. What is Augustine's new life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Augustine say about his mother's upbringing and some of her behaviors as a married woman?

2. How does Augustine see different interpretations of Scripture?

3. What does Augustine say about the past, future and present?

4. What does Augustine say about formlessness?

5. How does Augustine describe wisdom?

6. Explain why Augustine rejects astrology.

7. Discuss the idea Augustine had about the beginning of all and on time.

8. Who is Victorinus and what has he done in his life?

9. What happened at the church in Milan and what Christian tradition was started there?

10. What does Augustine think of the term formless matter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Book IX, Augustine is still angry with the Manicheans, because for so long he used their excuse of a man's soul being divided between a soul of darkness and a soul of light. Now, Augustine sees that all of his actions are his soul's responsibility. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Augustine is finally "growing up" when he realizes he is responsible for the choices he makes? Why or why not?

2. Do you think that the people who are influenced by others to commit immoral or evil acts are ultimately responsible for their own actions?

3. What about evil actions that a person commits in order to save his/her own life? Is there any justification for those choices a person might make?

Essay Topic 2

It is mentioned in Book III that the Manicheans believe that when a fig is picked off a fig tree, it cries tears. Later, Augustine sees as ridiculous this idea and many others that the Manicheans believe. Discuss the following ideas:

1. Just because humans cannot measure how a plant experiences life, is that reason to believe that a tree cannot cry when its fruit is picked?

2. Many people (particularly Aboriginal peoples) do not adhere to the Judeo-Christian ideas of human beings as superior to all other of the created earth. When Augustine becomes a Christian, he seems to move from a nature-centered belief system to one that is man-centered. Do you see this as a step forward?

3. The second part to the Manichean beliefs of the fig tree is that they give the fig to their "Elect" people, who by eating it, the Manicheans believe, release angels from the fig. If what thought of this as a metaphor, what do you think the metaphor could represent?

Essay Topic 3

Augustine urges the church faithful to be righteous and to do good deeds, but not as a substitute for their faith. Their faith must be shown by their good deeds, and at the same time these good deeds must reflect their faith. This statement is a paradox.

1. Why do you think this statement could be classified as a paradox?

2. What do you think Augustine means by the statement above?

(see the answer keys)

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