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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 omits examples of grammatical forms from Scripture.
(c) Augustine does not guide students to understand whether the moral rules of Scripture are universal or particular.
(d) Augustine omits grammatical techniques for interpreting Scripture.

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

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

4. What does Augustine reason, from the scriptural reference regarding the hazard of learning, that a student must be sure to develop.
(a) Diligently apply Scripture properly in every case.
(b) Care of how eschatology is applied.
(c) Sensitivity to compare signs to what is being learned from Scripture.
(d) To grow love in one's heart first and foremost.

5. 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 promises and the law and On the devil and his body.
(c) On the Lord's twofold body and On genus and species.
(d) On the Lord and his body and On the promises and the law.

6. 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) "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."
(c) "Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God."
(d) "Knowledge puffs up but love builds up."

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

8. What is an apparent contradiction regarding Augustine's expectation of students to interpretation and an omission from his commentaries in "On Christian Doctrine"?
(a) Augustine writes that the understanding of the principles of Christian love are sufficient to begin the interpretation of Scripture, but he spends more time examining Old Testament law.
(b) Augustine expects his students to investigate the intentions of the authors of Scripture, but he does not detail his intentions in choosing the issues on which he focuses.
(c) Augustine demands his students to spend time in seclusion and study, but does not call for the same from teachers.
(d) Augustine criticizes the Donatists yet he uses their theology on which to base "On Christian Doctrine."

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

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

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

12. 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.

13. How does Augustine treat Tyconius' rules that he cites in his book?
(a) Augustine applies them to particular cases to the end of Book Three.
(b) Augustine compares them to his own set of principles to point out differences and similarities.
(c) Augustine merely illustrates Tyconius' rules as one of several approaches for interpreting Scripture of the day.
(d) Augustine uses them to prove what he considers misguided thinking of Donatists.

14. How will studying this subject help in understanding Scripture?
(a) Understanding the dialects of the time will help to interpret discussions and analogies of Scripture.
(b) Understanding the regional accents of the time will help interpret phrases and word variations.
(c) Understanding the metaphors of the time will help bring deeper meaning to signs and parables.
(d) Understanding the grammar of languages will help interpret the prose and poetry of Scripture.

15. According to Augustine, how can signs become ambiguous?
(a) By being words that appear as things.
(b) By containing misunderstood words or expressions.
(c) By being things that don't appear as signs.
(d) By being used things that are also enjoyed.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. What is a major challenge in dealing with the topic addressed in Book Three?

3. Even though Augustine does not mention this subject directly, what will his students need to master to understand languages?

4. By making the demands of understanding Scripture difficult, who was Augustine criticizing?

5. What important understanding must the student of scripture possess, as stated in Book Two?

(see the answer keys)

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