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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Augustine claim that Christian students fall into the trap that prevents them from separating themselves from pagans?
(a) They are too eager to misapply signs to inappropriate events and situations.
(b) They read Scriptural passages according to their own cultural and historical biases.
(c) They consider their ability to absorb knowledge as a special gift that makes them closer to God.
(d) They do not have the discipline to understand that seclusion is intended for purging human weakness and not for self-absorption.

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

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

4. 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.

5. 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) Measurements of all kinds, alphabets, history, medicine and astronomy.
(c) Dietary laws of Israel, miracles of the Pentateuch, and the sermons of Christ.
(d) The manifestations of creation throughout Scripture, every perspective of eschatology, the application of minor prophets to community.

6. What are some of the practices of these categories in which humans must not participate?
(a) Superstition and astrology.
(b) Teaching literal spheres as figurative spheres.
(c) Attempting to reconcile truth with heresy.
(d) Using special gifts to attempt to convert things to signs.

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

8. What is ironic about the fact that Augustine referred to Tyconius' "Book of Rules" as being useful for the interpretation of Scripture?
(a) Augustine eschewed rules that do not originate from Scripture.
(b) Tyconius was a Greek philosopher and Augustine was wary of Greek philosophers.
(c) Tyconius was ruled a heretic for taking liberties in the examination of Scripture.
(d) Tyconius was a Donatist and much of "On Christian Doctrine" is written to address points of disagreement between Augustine and Donatists.

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

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

11. 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) "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'"
(c) "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.'"
(d) "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

12. What ethical principle of the Bible does Augustine require for students to use as a guide for interpretation of Scripture?
(a) The principle of love.
(b) The principle of original sin.
(c) The principle of the omnipotence of God.
(d) The principle of God's authority over judgment.

13. 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?
(a) Augustine is personally offended with critics and chooses to punish those who most support him.
(b) Augustine is obsessive and relentlessly badgers his critics into submission.
(c) Augustine confronts his critics with thorough investigation and lets his text prove his integrity.
(d) Augustine chooses to overwhelm his critics with so much information that they lose track of their arguments.

14. Augustine writes in Book Three that in order to make the type of evaluation of the command given to the intended target, what knowledge must a student of Scripture possess?
(a) Of the history of the event for which God is giving the command.
(b) Of how God used a sign to foretell his command.
(c) Of how God makes his will manifest.
(d) Of how God expects his laws to be applied.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What facts of Scripture does Augustine set as the foundation for understanding it?

2. What form do these grammar types take?

3. Based on the academic demands that Augustine places on his students, it is clear that Augustine believes what?

4. What does it mean that Augustine requires his students to have such broad knowledge to master his course?

5. What is the most important step Augustine's students must take to avoid the trap he sees in interpretation?

(see the answer keys)

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