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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Augustine describe humans?
(a) Humans are above things because they use them.
(b) Humans are things that are subject to the laws of God.
(c) Humans are things that use language as a symbol.
(d) Humans are things that can "enjoy," love and "use" things.

2. In Book Three, Augustine argues that since holy men from scripture receive evil language from God because of their condition, how should the passages with such language be read?
(a) With the understanding that God's word transcends time, so that spoken directly to holy men can be considered relevant to current settings.
(b) In context with the laws that God is applying to the particular situation.
(c) With sufficient references to historical data.
(d) Both literally and figuratively.

3. Why does Augustine expect the method of accessing knowledge he lacks to be successful?
(a) Augustine believes God guides those who gather in Christian community.
(b) Augustine has great respect for other learned Priests within his sphere.
(c) Augustine believes that God will give to him because God gives to those who "give away," as does Augustine when he teaches.
(d) Augustine is familiar with the classification system of the library at Hippo Regius.

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

5. According to Augustine, of the different forms through which the grammar types show themselves, which is, by definition, the most difficult to interpret?
(a) The riddle because it often requires an answer that was even hidden in the day it was given.
(b) The poem because it relies heavily on metaphor, hyperbole, and enigma.
(c) The catachresis because of its "misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect."
(d) The sarcasm because it is often undetectable unless the intended tone of the writer is examined.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of these influences on personal thought, which does Augustine claim Scripture teaches can lead a Christian to positive patterns?

2. What does Book Three state is the purpose of God or angels using condemning terms?

3. What is a requirement of Augustine's disciples?

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

5. Upon what does Augustine say the student of Scripture must rely during his studies?

(see the answer key)

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