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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What Scriptural passage does Augustine use to remind the reader of "On Christian Doctrine" of the condition that affects holy men?
(a) "Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah, through all his prophets and every seer, saying, 'Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through my servants the prophets.'"
(b) "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'"
(c) "And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children that He raised up Jesus."
(d) "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

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

3. What facts of Scripture does Augustine set as the foundation for understanding it?
(a) All the teachings of Christ.
(b) All Scriptural history starting from creation.
(c) Objects, times, places and people referred to in Scripture and the spiritual realm of the people in Scripture.
(d) The context of the miracles so they can understand the purpose of God in delivering them.

4. What Augustine accomplished with his first three books from "On Christian Doctrine"?
(a) He left out important details that could be useful in the interpretation of Scripture.
(b) He established a beginning set of exegetical principles.
(c) He set out an intimidating course of study that only the serious student of Scripture will be willing to consider.
(d) He identified the difference between his line of reasoning and those who criticize his views.

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?
(a) A figurative interpretation of a holy Scriptural character will be applied to language and speech that defines how a sign is a thing.
(b) A figurative interpretation of a holy Scriptural character will be applied to language and speech that describes condemnations on the chosen of God.
(c) A figurative interpretation of a holy Scriptural character will be applied to language and speech that embraces evil and condemns love or kindness.
(d) A figurative interpretation of a holy Scriptural character will be applied to language and speech that embraces evil and condemns love or kindness.

6. Upon what does Augustine say the student of Scripture must rely during his studies?
(a) The student must rely on experience.
(b) The student must rely heavily on experts.
(c) The student must rely heavily on manuscripts of Scripture.
(d) The student must rely on translations of manuscripts of Scripture.

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

8. Why does Augustine claim that words as signs are difficult to understand?
(a) Because God inspires believers to master tongues and interpret signs.
(b) Because God created with words and wants believers to know their impact.
(c) Because words as signs are only understood within a scriptural context.
(d) Because God provides Scriptural complexity to satisfy a hard-working mind.

9. 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 figuratively or literally.
(c) They can be considered as details of things or details of signs.
(d) They can be considered linguistically or grammatically.

10. According to Augustine in Book Two, in order for the student to become an effective teacher, what two skills must the student master?
(a) Arts and sciences.
(b) Prophecy and signs.
(c) Logic and rhetoric.
(d) Navigation and philosophy.

11. According to Augustine in Book Three, what is the purpose of Scripture in reporting the condition that affects holy men?
(a) The sins of holy men are reported in Scripture so individuals never think they are too great to sin.
(b) The discernment of holy men is reported in Scripture to remind students of the work that needs to be done to understand the history and culture of holy men.
(c) The knowledge of law possessed by holy men is reported in Scripture to guide students to approach God's communication with the same zeal.
(d) The direct communication that holy men had with God is reported so current students will approach Scripture with the reverence it deserves.

12. What important understanding must the student of scripture possess, as stated in Book Two?
(a) He/she must understand that knowing how to use signs can lead to abusing signs.
(b) He/she must understand that covetousness will disrupt the community.
(c) His/her self love can interfere with his ability to use his inner eye.
(d) His/her own depravity and that he loves temporal things too much.

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

14. What is the most important step Augustine's students must take to avoid the trap he sees in interpretation?
(a) Students need to differentiate the love for God from the love for things common among the pagans.
(b) Students need to submit themselves to the scrutiny of a wise teacher who can dissuade them from becoming prideful.
(c) Students need to devote themselves to studying the subjects Augustine recommended in Book Two.
(d) Students need to submit themselves to the process of purging their selfish desires.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Augustine, how can signs become ambiguous?

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?

3. How does Augustine treat Tyconius' rules that he cites in his book?

4. How does Augustine state a student should consider an evil command given to its intended target?

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

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