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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What hazard does Augustine state must one keep in check as they learn of the fields pertaining to Scripture?
(a) The consistency of what are considered to be signs against traditional interpretations.
(b) The pride develops with great learning.
(c) The accuracy of translations against original manuscripts.
(d) Eschatology against Scriptural language to prevent heresy.

2. Of Tyconius' rules for interpreting Scripture that Augustine examined, which two relate to the subjects that Augustine recommended for study in Book Two?
(a) On the Lord and his body and On the promises and the law.
(b) On species and genus and On measurements of time.
(c) On the promises and the law and On the devil and his body.
(d) On the Lord's twofold body and On genus and species.

3. 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 details the authority of God.
(d) Any speech or language that condemns evil and recommends love or kindness.

4. What are the two categories of signs Augustine identifies in Book Two?
(a) Signs that are given through special gifts and signs that are given through angels.
(b) Natural signs and given signs.
(c) Signs that can be used and signs that can be enjoyed.
(d) Signs that are things and signs that are words.

5. What is an important omission that Augustine commits as it applies to moral rules in Scripture?
(a) Augustine omits standards for interpreting Scripture.
(b) Augustine does not guide students to understand whether the moral rules of Scripture are universal or particular.
(c) Augustine omits examples of grammatical forms from Scripture.
(d) Augustine omits grammatical techniques for interpreting Scripture.

6. By making the demands of understanding Scripture difficult, who was Augustine criticizing?
(a) Those who felt that Scripture could be interpreted through current events.
(b) His detractors believed Scripture could be interpreted easily through special gifts.
(c) Those who believe that learning information outside of the Bible leads to heresy.
(d) Those who believe that only studying the life of Christ was sufficient to understand Scripture.

7. What Scriptural reference does Augustine make to prove his point regarding checking this hazard to learning the fields pertaining to Scripture?
(a) "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book."
(b) "Knowledge puffs up but love builds up."
(c) "Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God."
(d) "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."

8. What are the two general confusions that Augustine says come from Christians who do not differentiate themselves from pagans?
(a) Individuals will be led to worship the creation rather than the Creator.
(b) Signs are treated as things and things are treated as signs.
(c) Students will attempt to win supporters to their views and Christian community will be broken.
(d) Emotions will become the focus of worship and Christian community will crumble.

9. What form do these grammar types take?
(a) Prose, poem, dissertation, and story.
(b) Hyperbole, riddle, song, and parable.
(c) Allegory, enigma, parable, and catachresis.
(d) Poem, metaphor, sarcasm, and hyperbole.

10. 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?
(a) Augustine confronts his critics with thorough investigation and lets his text prove his integrity.
(b) Augustine is personally offended with critics and chooses to punish those who most support him.
(c) Augustine chooses to overwhelm his critics with so much information that they lose track of their arguments.
(d) Augustine is obsessive and relentlessly badgers his critics into submission.

11. From what type of education does Augustine develop his curriculum of Scriptural learning?
(a) A Hasidic education.
(b) An ecclesiastical education.
(c) A Nazarene education.
(d) A classical education.

12. What does Augustine say the student pass through if he/she will be able to understand Scripture?
(a) The purging of unclean spiritual occupations that are too common in the pagan cultures.
(b) Stages of spiritual purification and understand the need for God and Christian virtues.
(c) Rigorous physical and mental challenges to prove to God the seriousness of the desire to learn.
(d) A 40-day period of seclusion and fasting so they can better know the mind of Christ.

13. What does Augustine call the types of grammar used through Scripture?
(a) Syntax.
(b) Dialects.
(c) Rudiments.
(d) Tropes.

14. What is a major challenge in dealing with the topic addressed in Book Three?
(a) Often figurative language is used to represent both God and angels and this language must be investigated in its original form, not translations.
(b) The sinful nature of the human filter can interfere with the interpretation of Scripture at any stage of investigation.
(c) The meanings of Scriptural phrases that contain ambiguous signs can often be changed with misplaced punctuation.
(d) Understanding the difference between signs given to groups and signs given to individuals can only be achieved after study of the languages in which languages were written.

15. What does Book Three state is the purpose of God or angels using condemning terms?
(a) To announce displeasure with human conduct.
(b) To announce judgment.
(c) In relation to destroying evil or lust.
(d) To identify human nature.

Short Answer Questions

1. Into what two spheres does Augustine divide the natural knowledge needed for Scriptural interpretation?

2. What Augustine accomplished with his first three books from "On Christian Doctrine"?

3. Augustine writes in Book Three that in order to make the type of evaluation of the command given to the intended target, what knowledge must a student of Scripture possess?

4. In taking the challenge that Augustine presents in Book Three, how should the Christian student differentiate himself from the pagan?

5. What are the two types of signs in Book Two?

(see the answer keys)

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