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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 is the second important distinction that Augustine makes in Book One?

3. What setting does Augustine recommend for sound Scriptural learning?

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

5. What is an important distinction that Augustine teaches students to understand through three Books of "On Christian Doctrine?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the first two points that Augustine uses to begin his refutation of the critics he focuses upon in the Preface?

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

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

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

6. What term does Augustine apply to the subjects he recommends for study to learn Scriptural interpretation and why does he use this term?

7. What does Augustine claim are the two types of signs and how are they defined?

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

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

10. What tool does Augustine write that a pastor can use to help make Scripture understandable?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augustine warns that coveting negates Christian love. Explain coveting as a motivation and identify how covetousness will motivate someone to take actions that appear to be similar to Christian love. Conclude your explanation with the consequences of a covetous individual misusing the acts of Christian love to the person he/she uses them upon, the person who commits those false acts, and to the image of Christian love.

Essay Topic 2

Augustine wrote of the unchangeable nature of Truth and Wisdom, yet many of the most useful things for learning today, (computers, smart phones, mp3 storage devices, the Internet) change at a rapid pace. Compare learning from Truth and Wisdom. Explain how things that are used for learning today can be used to validate what Augustine defines as Truth and Wisdom, as well as how they can be misused to lead someone away from those virtues.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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