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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. What does Augustine recommend to avoid the negative influences on individual thought?

2. What Scriptural defense does Augustine use for encouraging critics to consider the validity of "On Christian Doctrine"?

3. What does Augustine claim is the consequence of refusing to learn in a proper setting for Scriptural learning?

4. Augustine endeavors to answer many questions about what subject in Book One?

5. What is Augustine's perception of God's dispensation of "special gifts" of interpreting Scripture?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Augustine's focus in Book One?

2. What is Augustine's focus in Book Two?

3. What topic does Augustine address in Book Three?

4. What does Augustine identify as an important consideration when determining how many ideas words or phrases from Scripture contain?

5. How many types of criticism does Augustine predict he will face over "On Christian Doctrine"?

6. What does Augustine identify as a trope and how does it affect interpretation of Scripture?

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

8. Augustine supports students learning in a certain human gathering. What are these human gatherings called and what can students get from them that they cannot get from "special gifts"?

9. 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?

10. What Christian virtue does Augustine claim that can keep negative traits in check?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augustine requires his students to learn history and ancient languages in order to properly interpret Scripture. Identify and detail three reasons he makes this requirement and explain how his expectations could serve a student looking into other areas of study. Plan an order for learning the skills that Augustine recommends for responsible Scriptural interpretation and explain why you would follow the courses in that order.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

In Book Two, Augustine identifies seven virtues that lead to the development of wisdom. Analyze how the seven virtues contribute to the strengthening of each other and how they build toward gaining what Augustine defines as wisdom.

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