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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What are the two different ways that God and angels speak in Scripture, as identified in Book Three?
(a) Of signs and things.
(b) Figuratively and literally.
(c) In spiritual terms and human terms.
(d) With cruelty and kindness.

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

4. What are the two different ways a Scriptural passage can be considered, according to Book Three?
(a) They can be considered culturally or historically.
(b) They can be considered as details of things or details of signs.
(c) They can be considered linguistically or grammatically.
(d) They can be considered figuratively or literally.

5. What is a requirement of Augustine's disciples?
(a) To use their "inner eye."
(b) To identify signs and their role in Scriptural learning.
(c) To use their "special gift."
(d) To understand God's revelation.

6. How can recommendations Augustine makes from Book Three prevent students from falling into the trap that misleads them?
(a) Augustine recommends that students learn the culture, language, and history from the periods that Scripture was written to develop the skill to interpret Scripture intelligently.
(b) Augustine devotes much of Book Two to detailing the demands on the serious student of Scripture.
(c) Augustine painstakingly differentiates between signs and things to guide students away from misapplying both.
(d) Augustine warns against allowing the increased knowledge of students from developing into pride.

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

8. According to Augustine, how should misunderstood signs become understood?
(a) By examining the context in which things appear as signs.
(b) By considering how the used thing is accepted by the community.
(c) By committing the misunderstood words or expressions to memory.
(d) By examining the use of the word that appears to be a thing.

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

10. According to Augustine in Book Three, what is a condition that affects holy men and God's commands of them?
(a) They from Scripture became so because God had more direct communication with them.
(b) They discern the signs given by God that appear evil.
(c) They can commit great sins.
(d) They have spent time studying God's law and know how to apply his harsh language within the context of His judgment.

11. What does Augustine prove from the demands he expects from his students that he began defending against critics in the Preface?
(a) That Augustine does not trust his students, therefore he plans to keep them occupied.
(b) That Augustine does not respect people who believe they do not need to study.
(c) That Augustine intends to protect the integrity of his students by dominating their time.
(d) That understanding Scripture requires intense and focused study so proper interpretation can be applied and demonic misleading can be avoided.

12. What are the mix of subjects that Augustine emphasizes in his education?
(a) Mosaic Law, dietary law, Biblical civil law, sacrificial law, and order of the Tabernacle and Temple.
(b) Dietary law, moral law, laws of separation and laws of exclusion.
(c) Rhetoric, philosophy, logic, botany, astronomy, languages and history.
(d) The history of the Pentateuch, the laws of prophets, and the writings of the Minor Prophets.

13. According to Augustine, to whom are commands from Scripture intended?
(a) Those who reject God's call to action.
(b) Those who can discern signs from things.
(c) Certain individuals or groups.
(d) Those who live in violation of God's moral standards.

14. What are subjects that Augustine identifies that 'must be learned'?
(a) The miracles of the Church immediately after the ascension of Christ, the languages of the Roman Empire, and the laws of Israel.
(b) The manifestations of creation throughout Scripture, every perspective of eschatology, the application of minor prophets to community.
(c) Measurements of all kinds, alphabets, history, medicine and astronomy.
(d) Dietary laws of Israel, miracles of the Pentateuch, and the sermons of Christ.

15. What are the two types of signs in Book Two?
(a) Illuminated or hidden.
(b) Things or words.
(c) Literal or metaphorical.
(d) Angelic or demonic.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Augustine claim this knowledge is required to understand what Scripture teaches?

2. How does Augustine say a student should treat any evil actions or speech from characters Scriptures praise as holy?

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?

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

5. According to Augustine, of the different forms through which the grammar types show themselves, which is, by definition, the most difficult to interpret?

(see the answer keys)

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