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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Augustine suggest that God would use confusing signs?
(a) Because humans find grasping the nature of things by analogy more satisfying.
(b) Because God wants his community to work through things and signs.
(c) Because God wants students to understand the context of words.
(d) Because God wants students to examine Scripture so they can discover His illuminated truth.

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

3. How does Augustine say a student should treat any evil actions or speech from characters Scriptures praise as holy?
(a) As figurative language.
(b) As a blasphemy against God and the character's holiness must be considered as revoked by God.
(c) They must be treated as a poor interpretation and a study of the language and history of the passage must be examined.
(d) As an announcement from God of impending judgment.

4. 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 grammar of languages will help interpret the prose and poetry of Scripture.
(d) Understanding the metaphors of the time will help bring deeper meaning to signs and parables.

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

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

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

8. 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.

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

10. 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) Diligently apply Scripture properly in every case.
(c) To grow love in one's heart first and foremost.
(d) Care of how eschatology is applied.

11. 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) Dietary laws of Israel, miracles of the Pentateuch, and the sermons of Christ.
(d) Measurements of all kinds, alphabets, history, medicine and astronomy.

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

13. 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.

14. What Scriptural passage does Augustine use to remind the reader of "On Christian Doctrine" of the condition that affects holy men?
(a) "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."
(b) "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.'"
(c) "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'"
(d) "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the two types of signs in Book Two?

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

3. What are the mix of subjects that Augustine emphasizes in his education?

4. What is the significance of Augustine recommending mastery of so many fields in Book Two?

5. In taking the challenge that Augustine presents in Book Three, how should the Christian student differentiate himself from the pagan?

(see the answer keys)

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