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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In taking the challenge that Augustine presents in Book Three, how should the Christian student differentiate himself from the pagan?
(a) Christians must be careful not to use signs to elevate oneself as pagans do.
(b) Christians must be careful not to confuse signs and things as many pagans do.
(c) Christians must be careful not to worship things as signs as pagans do.
(d) Christians must be careful not to convert personal motivations into causes of worship as pagans do.

2. 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?
(a) Of how God expects his laws to be applied.
(b) Of the history of the event for which God is giving the command.
(c) Of how God used a sign to foretell his command.
(d) Of how God makes his will manifest.

3. 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 chooses to overwhelm his critics with so much information that they lose track of their arguments.
(c) Augustine is personally offended with critics and chooses to punish those who most support him.
(d) Augustine is obsessive and relentlessly badgers his critics into submission.

4. What are some of the practices of these categories in which humans must not participate?
(a) Attempting to reconcile truth with heresy.
(b) Superstition and astrology.
(c) Teaching literal spheres as figurative spheres.
(d) Using special gifts to attempt to convert things to signs.

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

6. 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 catachresis because of its "misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect."
(b) The poem because it relies heavily on metaphor, hyperbole, and enigma.
(c) The riddle because it often requires an answer that was even hidden in the day it was given.
(d) The sarcasm because it is often undetectable unless the intended tone of the writer is examined.

7. What does Augustine identify as a necessary subject that a student must learn to understand Scripture?
(a) The working order of the Catholic Church to understand where to go for sound reference and guidance.
(b) The relevant languages and make all the translations he can find.
(c) The Apocrypha so the hidden meaning of Scriptural signs can be illuminated.
(d) Records of the Council of Trent to know the points of sound doctrine.

8. Why does Augustine claim that Christian students fall into the trap that prevents them from separating themselves from pagans?
(a) They do not have the discipline to understand that seclusion is intended for purging human weakness and not for self-absorption.
(b) They read Scriptural passages according to their own cultural and historical biases.
(c) They consider their ability to absorb knowledge as a special gift that makes them closer to God.
(d) They are too eager to misapply signs to inappropriate events and situations.

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

10. Even though Augustine does not mention this subject directly, what will his students need to master to understand languages?
(a) Dialects.
(b) Regional accents.
(c) Grammar.
(d) Metaphors.

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

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

13. What Scriptural reference does Augustine make to prove his point regarding checking this hazard to learning the fields pertaining to Scripture?
(a) "Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God."
(b) "Knowledge puffs up but love builds up."
(c) "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."
(d) "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."

14. 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 species and genus and On measurements of time.
(b) On the Lord and his body and On the promises and the law.
(c) On the Lord's twofold body and On genus and species.
(d) On the promises and the law and On the devil and his body.

15. How does Augustine state a student should consider an evil command given to its intended target?
(a) That God requires that his will be followed.
(b) As being good for the individual or group at the time.
(c) As a sign that God will exercise an act of judgment.
(d) That God is becoming intolerant of defiance against his laws.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is an apparent contradiction regarding Augustine's expectation of students to interpretation and an omission from his commentaries in "On Christian Doctrine"?

2. What does Augustine reason, from the scriptural reference regarding the hazard of learning, that a student must be sure to develop.

3. What does Augustine recommend as methods for handling the topic in Book Three?

4. What ethical principle of the Bible does Augustine require for students to use as a guide for interpretation of Scripture?

5. If Augustine sets a standard for how to interpret Scriptural characters literally, and he applies the converse of that standard for interpreting Scriptural character's figuratively, how would that standard be articulated?

(see the answer keys)

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