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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Two.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How will studying this subject help in understanding Scripture?
(a) Understanding the grammar of languages will help interpret the prose and poetry of Scripture.
(b) Understanding the metaphors of the time will help bring deeper meaning to signs and parables.
(c) Understanding the regional accents of the time will help interpret phrases and word variations.
(d) Understanding the dialects of the time will help to interpret discussions and analogies of Scripture.

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

3. According to Augustine, what are competing influences on an individual's thinking?
(a) Laborers and land owners.
(b) The devil and angels.
(c) Priests and Rabbis.
(d) Husbands and wives.

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

5. What is the problem for the critics that Augustine addresses in the Preface when they choose to teach?
(a) If these critics believe that Scripture can only be achieved through "special gifts", isn't God's power of communicating limited out side of his act to give the gifts?
(b) If these critics believe students of Scripture can only receive understanding through "special gifts", why do they attempt to teach about "special gifts"?
(c) If these critics believe that understanding Scripture can only be achieved through the application of "special gifts", doesn't their effort to teach expose their students to personal bias that might interfere with their "special gifts"?
(d) If God only communicates the truth of Scripture through those who have "special gifts", is not God limiting his communication with the pagan who has not received such gifts?

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the second type of criticism that Augustine suggests "On Christian Doctrine" would face?

2. What is the primary tool for interpretation for the critics that Augustine primarily focuses on in the Preface?

3. What does Augustine use to illustrate a thing to be used?

4. How does Augustine use the items of his example to illustrate his distinction?

5. What does Augustine suggest a conception of Christian love will serve for the student?

(see the answer key)

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