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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Preface.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Augustine reason is the consequence to human teaching if learning comes from Divine gifts?
(a) That Divine gifts become the standard against which all teaching is measured.
(b) That Divine gifts work as a validation of human teaching.
(c) That human teaching becomes a validation of Divine gifts.
(d) That there is no point to human teaching if learning only comes through Divine gifts.

2. What does Augustine encourage his critics to remember in the Preface?
(a) To be wary of falling into the trap of heresy.
(b) To practice the rhetorical skills he embraces to make criticism more effective.
(c) To patiently contemplate his points before they make a judgment.
(d) To remember experiencing learning for themselves.

3. What is the logical inconsistency of the critics that Augustine confronts in the Preface?
(a) If these critics believe they need no training, why are they reviewing Augustine's works?
(b) If learning only comes through community, why does Scripture encourage separation for prayer?
(c) If these critics believe that Scripture can only be learned through "special gifts," and God wants everyone to know scriptures, then why doesn't everyone have "special gifts"?
(d) If these critics believe learning only comes through the possession of "special gifts," why do they teach?

4. What is the problem for the critics that Augustine addresses in the Preface when they choose to teach?
(a) If these critics believe that understanding Scripture can only be achieved through the application of "special gifts", doesn't their effort to teach expose their students to personal bias that might interfere with their "special gifts"?
(b) If these critics believe that Scripture can only be achieved through "special gifts", isn't God's power of communicating limited out side of his act to give the gifts?
(c) If God only communicates the truth of Scripture through those who have "special gifts", is not God limiting his communication with the pagan who has not received such gifts?
(d) If these critics believe students of Scripture can only receive understanding through "special gifts", why do they attempt to teach about "special gifts"?

5. Of these influences on personal thought, which does Augustine claim Scripture teaches can lead a Christian to positive patterns?
(a) That "leaving and cleaving" that forms marriage is a reflection of God's character.
(b) That God uses angels to direct men to human communities to learn.
(c) That God always calls His chosen people to work productively.
(d) That Priests are a model of what St. Paul inferred in Hebrews was the "Priesthood of Believers," and are therefore a legitimate source of guidance.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Augustine's attitude toward those who have a "special gift" for interpretation from God?

2. When Augustine focuses on one of the types of criticism he expects to receive, what does he suggest to the reader?

3. What is the primary tool for interpretation for the critics that Augustine primarily focuses on in the Preface?

4. How does Augustine characterize the argument that his teaching is not needed because it comes from a human source?

5. What is Augustine's perception of God's dispensation of "special gifts" of interpreting Scripture?

(see the answer key)

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