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

2. What type of language from Scriptural characters must be taken literally, according to Augustine?
(a) Any speech or language that describes blessings for the chosen of God.
(b) Any speech or language that defines how a thing is a sign.
(c) Any speech or language that condemns evil and recommends love or kindness.
(d) Any speech or language that details the authority of God.

3. Into what two spheres does Augustine divide the natural knowledge needed for Scriptural interpretation?
(a) Literal and figurative.
(b) Things and signs.
(c) Arts and sciences.
(d) Truth and heresies.

4. Since Augustine regards his disciples as "divinely instituted," what responsibility falls on his students?
(a) They have the duty to apply good social and intellectual practices.
(b) They have the duty to discover their "special gift."
(c) They have the duty to develop their "inner eye."
(d) They have the duty to know the difference between things and signs.

5. What was the topic of Book Three?
(a) Learning how to overcome critics with well-reasoned and complete prose.
(b) Learning how to handle unknown or unfamiliar signs.
(c) Learning as a discipline to prove Christian convictions.
(d) Learning the philosophy of Classic Greeks as a key to Scriptural interpretation.

Short Answer Questions

1. By the end of Book Two, Augustine devoted much of this text to refuting critics who believe Scriptural interpretation comes simply. What does this infer of Augustine's methods of debate?

2. In Augustine's example, how can something used also be enjoyed?

3. Augustine wrote that the critics he mainly focuses on in the Preface base their positions on what belief?

4. How will studying this subject help in understanding Scripture?

5. What does Augustine say the student pass through if he/she will be able to understand Scripture?

(see the answer key)

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