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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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) "Knowledge puffs up but love builds up."
(d) "Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God."

3. According to Book Two, what is the most important knowledge a student of scripture can have?
(a) He must know the difference between things and signs.
(b) He must know how to use the inner eye.
(c) He must the difference between things that are used and things that are enjoyed.
(d) He must know the canon of Scripture well.

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

5. 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.

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

7. What does Augustine call signs that are only used to express and transmit thoughts?
(a) Natural signs.
(b) Signs that are words.
(c) Signs that are things.
(d) Given signs.

8. What are the primary possessions of the student of Scripture, according to Augustine in Book Two?
(a) Special gifts, things, and signs.
(b) Love, illuminated truth, and the inner eye.
(c) Illuminated truth, the inner eye, and faith.
(d) Faith, hope, and love.

9. What is the difference between the time that God might deliver what seems to be an evil command in the Old Testament and the current time, according to Augustine?
(a) They were taken by those who recorded God's law directly from the source.
(b) They could not be done without sinful intent at the time of Augustine's writing.
(c) They were taken by those who clearly understood God's signs.
(d) They were taken by people to whom God gave his orders directly.

10. What does it mean that Augustine requires his students to have such broad knowledge to master his course?
(a) That learning from Augustine was all absorbing and time consuming.
(b) That he was preparing them for other professions should they not prove adept at teaching.
(c) That he believes that finding the meaning of scripture can only be done through intense and careful study.
(d) That he was a hard taskmaster with high expectations of his students.

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

12. 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 are too eager to misapply signs to inappropriate events and situations.
(c) They consider their ability to absorb knowledge as a special gift that makes them closer to God.
(d) They read Scriptural passages according to their own cultural and historical biases.

13. Why does Augustine claim this knowledge is required to understand what Scripture teaches?
(a) Because knowing the language, culture, and settings of the Scriptural record guides in making correct interpretations of Scripture.
(b) Because knowing the history of Israel and the prophecies concerning Christ makes a full connection between Israelite and Christian Scriptures.
(c) Because knowing the dietary and moral laws of the Nazarites aids in understanding the life and miracles of Christ.
(d) Because knowing the demands of the law of Israel helps to understand the freedom that Christians have through the atoning death of Christ.

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

15. What is the significance of Augustine recommending mastery of so many fields in Book Two?
(a) Broad knowledge is needed to properly interpret Scripture.
(b) Attempting to absorb so much information exercises the mind and helps the student find their special gift.
(c) Broad knowledge helps exercise the inner eye.
(d) Learning all that God has put before the student through all history helps the student better know the mind of God.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is an important omission that Augustine commits as it applies to moral rules in Scripture?

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

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

4. What does Augustine say the student pass through if he/she will be able to understand Scripture?

5. What type of language from Scriptural characters must be taken literally, according to Augustine?

(see the answer keys)

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