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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Augustine expect the method of accessing knowledge he lacks to be successful?
(a) Augustine believes that God will give to him because God gives to those who "give away," as does Augustine when he teaches.
(b) Augustine is familiar with the classification system of the library at Hippo Regius.
(c) Augustine has great respect for other learned Priests within his sphere.
(d) Augustine believes God guides those who gather in Christian community.

2. What basic fact do the critics discussed in the Preface ignore by discounting teaching from Augustine and others?
(a) The works of writers closer to the time of the authors of Scripture are frequently incomplete, disjointed, and often unverifiable.
(b) Many writers have intensely studied Scriptures and have left their impressions for their use.
(c) Trial and error application often give non-Christians the opportunity to "mock God."
(d) The fact that they learned important tools, such as the alphabet, from other humans.

3. In approaching this distinction, what is Augustine's first focus in Book One?
(a) On things as things.
(b) On "special gifts."
(c) On sins of omission.
(d) On original sin.

4. What does Augustine consider to be the ultimate thing to be enjoyed?
(a) The things that God places in nature for us to use.
(b) The things that we can develop from our special gifts.
(c) The concept of Christian love as practiced in community.
(d) The Trinity of Christianity.

5. What is the primary tool for interpretation for the critics that Augustine primarily focuses on in the Preface?
(a) Trial and error application to the situations for which they need Scriptural guidance.
(b) Intense study of Scripture.
(c) A "special gift" from God.
(d) Investigating commentaries produced closer to the time of the authors of Scriptures.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the two main tools that God uses to teach men what to do, as identified by Augustine?

2. What does Augustine identify as the relationship between all other things and the object of ultimate worship?

3. According to Augustine, for what reason should one love oneself?

4. Of these influences on individual thought, which does Augustine claim Scripture teaches are negative to Christian thought?

5. What is the second important distinction that Augustine makes in Book One?

Short Essay Questions

1. What topic does Augustine address in Book Three?

2. How does Augustine suggest interpretations of Scripture should affect the subject about which he wants to answer many questions and how should that affect the student seeking to interpret Scripture?

3. Why does Augustine claim the topic of Book Three is so difficult?

4. About what subject does Augustine want to answer many questions in Book One and for what two reasons does he want to answer them?

5. Why does Augustine suggest that the critics he focuses on in the Preface do not believe his teaching is necessary?

6. What are three things that Augustine writes that humans can do with one of the items of his focus in Book One?

7. According to Augustine, how are words as signs difficult to understand?

8. What three virtues do students need to teach Scripture?

9. What is a technique that Augustine uses to determine the meaning of a passage that cannot be discovered by simply reading the passage?

10. What does Augustine recommend to orators who use speech writers?

(see the answer keys)

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