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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Augustine expect the method of accessing knowledge he lacks to be successful?

2. What comes of loving oneself for reasons other than that which Augustine specified?

3. What does Augustine claim to be the central law of love and the message of Christianity?

4. What does Augustine reason is the consequence to human teaching if learning comes from Divine gifts?

5. What is the doctrine that Augustine claims critics of human teaching defend?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. According to Augustine, for whom are written commands in Scripture intended?

3. Why does Augustine believe that God will aid him in his teaching about learning and communicating Scripture?

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

5. What does Augustine identify as the two types of passages interpreted from Scripture?

6. What does Augustine recommend to the pastor who cannot acquire the skill of rhetoric?

7. What does Augustine recommend should be the lifestyle and focus of the Christian speaker?

8. What does Augustine write that God uses to teach men and how does that source achieve God's purpose?

9. What are the two items that Augustine writes that students must differentiate to learn what Scripture teaches?

10. What does Augustine claim is one of the causes of a sign's ambiguity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Book Two, Augustine begins teaching on interpreting signs in Scripture. He warns against misapplying literal and figurative language to interpret signs. Read the creation account of Genesis 1. Compare the effects on theology by considering the chapter literally and figuratively. Explain how the literal or figurative interpretation of Genesis 1 affects the interpretation of miracles and events through the rest of the Bible including, but not limited to, the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

Essay Topic 2

In Book Three, Augustine examines the natures of God, man, sin and lust. Give a review of what Augustine taught on these three areas, how they compare and contrast to modern perceptions on the same three areas, and whether you agree with Augustine's positions and why you do or do not. Cite recognizable examples from modern times and history to support your view.

Essay Topic 3

Augustine writes that God uses, rather than enjoys, humans and that the extent of His use of each human is based upon the depth of love those humans have for God. Detail how a student can translate their love of God to commitment to the study course that Augustine lays out. Explain how a student motivated by the love for God will respond to guidance from the sources for learning that Augustine recommends and how doing such can prepare a student to guide a community to seek proper and intelligent Scriptural interpretation.

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