View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the main difference between the system of learning that Augustine advocates and that advocated by the critics he focuses on in the Preface?
(a) Augustine's system requires finding a qualified Priest to hand down the official teaching of the Church whereas the critics allow free interpretation.
(b) Augustine's system requires study and application of rules whereas the critics believe they can understand through special gifts.
(c) Augustine's system requires great expense in accessing the necessary documents of learning whereas the critics allow for the interpretation of the spirit through tongues.
(d) Augustine's system of learning requires study in Greek philosophy whereas the critics require researching copies of manuscripts.

2. What is an important distinction that Augustine teaches students to understand through three Books of "On Christian Doctrine?
(a) The difference between "things" and "signs."
(b) The difference between original sin and human nature.
(c) The difference between sins of omission and original sin.
(d) The difference between "special gifts" and talents.

3. What basic fact do the critics discussed in the Preface ignore by discounting teaching from Augustine and others?
(a) The fact that they learned important tools, such as the alphabet, from other humans.
(b) The works of writers closer to the time of the authors of Scripture are frequently incomplete, disjointed, and often unverifiable.
(c) Trial and error application often give non-Christians the opportunity to "mock God."
(d) Many writers have intensely studied Scriptures and have left their impressions for their use.

4. 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 learning only comes through the possession of "special gifts," why do they teach?
(d) 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"?

5. What is Augustine's perception of God's dispensation of "special gifts" of interpreting Scripture?
(a) That they precede periods of peace and prosperity.
(b) Dispensing of such gifts is atypical.
(c) That they follow miraculous events.
(d) That they follow periods of oppression of those seeking His blessings.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Augustine, what are competing influences on an individual's thinking?

2. Based on Augustine's Preface, what is the perception of critics toward learning?

3. According to Augustine, for what reason should one love oneself?

4. What does Augustine identify as the relationship between all other things and the object of ultimate worship?

5. According to Augustine, how should a student be affected as he/she becomes proficient in interpreting Scripture?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 627 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample