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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. With what word in the scriptures is Augustine particularly fascinated?

2. What does not signal the end of Augustine's struggles?

3. What phrase does Augustine use as an example of different interpretations?

4. When does Augustine reject astrology?

5. What does Simplicianus tell Augustine Victorinus does before his recent passing?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the story Augustine hears from Ponticianus and what does the story do to Augustine?

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

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

5. What does Augustine say is the use of the senses in dealing with time?

6. What does Augustine say about formlessness?

7. What does Augustine say about memory?

8. What does Augustine say about the heavens?

9. By the beginning of Book VII, how does Augustine begin to think of God?

10. Explain why Augustine rejects astrology.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augustine compares the Trinity to these three things: existence, knowledge, and will. Augustine does this because he is a being that exists, and that both knows and wills.

1. What do you think Augustine means by existence, knowledge and will?

2. Do you agree with Augustine that he can know what the Trinity is because he has existence, knowledge, and will? Why or why not?

3. Do you think only humans have existence, knowledge, and will or do animals? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In Book V, Monica has an irrational urge to keep Augustine with her and not let him go to Rome. This incident symbolizes the struggle that all human beings have to control their fleshly desires in favor of their love of God. Discuss the following ideas:

1. For Augustine, is spirituality incompatible with physical life/pleasure (e.g., eating, sex, art, etc.)? Does his ideas about this change over the course of the Confessions?

2. Why do you think Augustine would say that physical life exists if it is incompatible with spirituality?

3. According to Augustine, can someone be highly spiritual and still "indulge" in the pleasures of physical life? What do you think personally?

(see the answer keys)

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