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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 Lord and his body and On the promises and the law.
(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 species and genus and On measurements of time.

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

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

4. 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 examine Scripture so they can discover His illuminated truth.
(d) Because God wants students to understand the context of words.

5. According to Augustine in Book Three, what is the purpose of Scripture in reporting the condition that affects holy men?
(a) The direct communication that holy men had with God is reported so current students will approach Scripture with the reverence it deserves.
(b) The discernment of holy men is reported in Scripture to remind students of the work that needs to be done to understand the history and culture of holy men.
(c) The sins of holy men are reported in Scripture so individuals never think they are too great to sin.
(d) The knowledge of law possessed by holy men is reported in Scripture to guide students to approach God's communication with the same zeal.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Book Three, what is the cause of Christians who are not diligent in separating themselves from pagans?

2. How does Augustine treat Tyconius' rules that he cites in his book?

3. What does Augustine call the types of grammar used through Scripture?

4. Why does Augustine claim that words as signs are difficult to understand?

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

(see the answer keys)

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