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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 whom does Augustine return to Milan?

2. What must one avoid in interpreting the scriptures?

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

4. How does Augustine create his own image of the Heaven of Heavens?

5. What does the Roman empress Justina favor?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Alypius' view of Jesus and what is Augustine's?

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

4. How does Augustine describe wisdom?

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

6. What does Augustine say about memory?

7. What does Augustine say about music and pleasure?

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

9. What does Augustine say about the heavens?

10. How does Augustine see different interpretations of Scripture?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though Augustine admits that he benefited from his studies of Latin and Greek literature, he resents how he was led astray morally by some of the stories. When he read of Zeus engaging in fornication and being powerful, it also made him want to do these deeds. So, already in boyhood, Augustine sees the struggle to form his moral judgment and not be led astray by popular stories or opinion.

1. Do you agree with Augustine's assertion about the influence the Greek and Latin literature had on his behavior? Why or why not?

2. In today's society there are people who assert that reading books about violent acts cause people to commit violent acts. Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not?

3. How do you think this idea of Augustine's about being led astray has influenced the justice system of the western world?

Essay Topic 2

In Book III, Augustin, in reading the philosopher Cicero's book, called Hortensius, first finds in himself the love for truth, or from the Greek derivation, philosophy.

1. Do you think Augustine at this point in his life sees any conflict between philosophy and religion? Why or why not?

2. Do you think later in his life Augustine sees any conflict between philosophy and religion? Why or why not?

3. At the point of Book III, what do you think Augustine sees as the purpose of philosophy? Does this change when he becomes a Christian?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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