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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. In the Manichean doctrine, what does light and darkness represent?

3. What does Augustine see as his responsibility?

4. As time goes on, what happens to the future?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Augustine says why people hate the truth. What does he say about the truth?

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

3. What does Augustine say about writing his confession?

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

5. What does Augustine decide to do by the end of Book VII and how does his mother feel about his decision?

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

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

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

9. What does Augustine say about memory?

10. What does Augustine decide to do at the beginning of Book IX? How does he do it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In Book III, Augustine wonders on the lack of even the basic morality of observance of the Ten Commandments in his vicinity.

1. Of what do you think Augustine believes basic morality consists? Give examples from the text and your personal experience.

2. Do you think Augustine sees a lack of morals because he himself suffers from that lack? In other words, is Augustine projecting his own lack of morals on those around him? Why or why not?

3. Research the ten commandments and choose the two you think Augustine has the most difficulty at this point in his life keeping. What are they? Give examples to demonstrate why you think he does not keep those commandments.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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