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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Augustine in Book Two, in order for the student to become an effective teacher, what two skills must the student master?
(a) Logic and rhetoric.
(b) Prophecy and signs.
(c) Navigation and philosophy.
(d) Arts and sciences.

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

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

4. In taking the challenge that Augustine presents in Book Three, how should the Christian student differentiate himself from the pagan?
(a) Christians must be careful not to convert personal motivations into causes of worship as pagans do.
(b) Christians must be careful not to use signs to elevate oneself as pagans do.
(c) Christians must be careful not to worship things as signs as pagans do.
(d) Christians must be careful not to confuse signs and things as many pagans do.

5. According to Book Two, what is the most important knowledge a student of scripture can have?
(a) He must the difference between things that are used and things that are enjoyed.
(b) He must know how to use the inner eye.
(c) He must know the difference between things and signs.
(d) He must know the canon of Scripture well.

6. According to Augustine in Book Three, what is a condition that affects holy men and God's commands of them?
(a) They discern the signs given by God that appear evil.
(b) They from Scripture became so because God had more direct communication with them.
(c) They have spent time studying God's law and know how to apply his harsh language within the context of His judgment.
(d) They can commit great sins.

7. If Augustine sets a standard for how to interpret Scriptural characters literally, and he applies the converse of that standard for interpreting Scriptural character's figuratively, how would that standard be articulated?
(a) A figurative interpretation of a holy Scriptural character will be applied to language and speech that describes condemnations on the chosen of God.
(b) A figurative interpretation of a holy Scriptural character will be applied to language and speech that embraces evil and condemns love or kindness.
(c) A figurative interpretation of a holy Scriptural character will be applied to language and speech that defines how a sign is a thing.
(d) A figurative interpretation of a holy Scriptural character will be applied to language and speech that embraces evil and condemns love or kindness.

8. By making the demands of understanding Scripture difficult, who was Augustine criticizing?
(a) Those who felt that Scripture could be interpreted through current events.
(b) Those who believe that learning information outside of the Bible leads to heresy.
(c) Those who believe that only studying the life of Christ was sufficient to understand Scripture.
(d) His detractors believed Scripture could be interpreted easily through special gifts.

9. What is the most important step Augustine's students must take to avoid the trap he sees in interpretation?
(a) Students need to submit themselves to the process of purging their selfish desires.
(b) Students need to submit themselves to the scrutiny of a wise teacher who can dissuade them from becoming prideful.
(c) Students need to devote themselves to studying the subjects Augustine recommended in Book Two.
(d) Students need to differentiate the love for God from the love for things common among the pagans.

10. What is an important omission that Augustine commits as it applies to moral rules in Scripture?
(a) Augustine omits standards for interpreting Scripture.
(b) Augustine does not guide students to understand whether the moral rules of Scripture are universal or particular.
(c) Augustine omits examples of grammatical forms from Scripture.
(d) Augustine omits grammatical techniques for interpreting Scripture.

11. What Scriptural reference does Augustine make to prove his point regarding checking this hazard to learning the fields pertaining to Scripture?
(a) "Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God."
(b) "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book."
(c) "Knowledge puffs up but love builds up."
(d) "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."

12. What does it mean that Augustine requires his students to have such broad knowledge to master his course?
(a) That he was a hard taskmaster with high expectations of his students.
(b) That learning from Augustine was all absorbing and time consuming.
(c) That he was preparing them for other professions should they not prove adept at teaching.
(d) That he believes that finding the meaning of scripture can only be done through intense and careful study.

13. What is the topic of Book Three?
(a) Augustine details the difference of signs given to groups and signs given to individuals.
(b) Augustine tackles the problem of understanding signs that are ambiguous.
(c) Augustine addresses the controversy of the human filter inhibiting the interpretation of Scripture.
(d) Augustine differentiates between signs given by God and signs give by angels.

14. According to Augustine, how should misunderstood signs become understood?
(a) By committing the misunderstood words or expressions to memory.
(b) By examining the context in which things appear as signs.
(c) By considering how the used thing is accepted by the community.
(d) By examining the use of the word that appears to be a thing.

15. What are the primary possessions of the student of Scripture, according to Augustine in Book Two?
(a) Special gifts, things, and signs.
(b) Love, illuminated truth, and the inner eye.
(c) Faith, hope, and love.
(d) Illuminated truth, the inner eye, and faith.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the two general confusions that Augustine says come from Christians who do not differentiate themselves from pagans?

2. What is a major challenge in dealing with the topic addressed in Book Three?

3. Since Augustine regards his disciples as "divinely instituted," what responsibility falls on his students?

4. Why does Augustine claim this knowledge is required to understand what Scripture teaches?

5. What hazard does Augustine state must one keep in check as they learn of the fields pertaining to Scripture?

(see the answer keys)

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