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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 was the first type of criticism Augustine suggests his work "On Christian Doctrine" would face?

3. How does Augustine describe humans?

4. What is the source of teaching Augustine most advocates?

5. According to Augustine, what are competing influences on an individual's thinking?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Augustine require that a speaker treat Scriptural interpretation?

3. Why does Augustine suggest that Christians should learn to use rhetoric?

4. What does Augustine recommend to orators who use speech writers?

5. What does Augustine identifies as three things that students need to use to develop responsible interpretations of Scripture?

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

7. What is Augustine's view of "special gifts"?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Augustine claims that reading Scripture by itself is sufficient to tea scripture. If this is so, please defend reasons for a student devoting themselves to the time for study to learn to interpret Scripture. Does Augustine's claim about the self-sufficiency of Scripture support those who claim "special gifts" are needed to interpret Scripture? In your opinion is the type of work Augustine requires to interpret Scripture more necessary today than in Augustine's time or less so? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Augustine begins training his students to interpret scripture with an examination of "things." He differentiates "things" that are to be used from things that are to be enjoyed. Use an example that Augustine used in "On Christian Doctrine" to make a Venn diagram comparing things that are used with things enjoyed. Write an essay on your diagram and identify the standard that Augustine uses to determine how things are to be used and enjoyed properly. Conclude the essay with the steps you would have to take to use and enjoy things based on Augustine's standards.

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