|Name: _________________________||Period: ___________________|
This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What does Augustine state an interpreter sometimes looks to to get the right meanings and right number of meanings from a passage?
(a) The original language.
(b) The original manuscripts.
(c) The history of the period that the Scripture was recorded.
(d) The author's intentions.
2. What Augustine accomplished with his first three books from "On Christian Doctrine"?
(a) He left out important details that could be useful in the interpretation of Scripture.
(b) He identified the difference between his line of reasoning and those who criticize his views.
(c) He established a beginning set of exegetical principles.
(d) He set out an intimidating course of study that only the serious student of Scripture will be willing to consider.
3. 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 personally offended with critics and chooses to punish those who most support him.
(b) Augustine confronts his critics with thorough investigation and lets his text prove his integrity.
(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.
4. What does Augustine reason, from the scriptural reference regarding the hazard of learning, that a student must be sure to develop.
(a) To grow love in one's heart first and foremost.
(b) Diligently apply Scripture properly in every case.
(c) Sensitivity to compare signs to what is being learned from Scripture.
(d) Care of how eschatology is applied.
5. Why does Augustine suggest that God would use confusing signs?
(a) Because humans find grasping the nature of things by analogy more satisfying.
(b) Because God wants his community to work through things and signs.
(c) Because God wants students to examine Scripture so they can discover His illuminated truth.
(d) Because God wants students to understand the context of words.
6. What is the most important step Augustine's students must take to avoid the trap he sees in interpretation?
(a) Students need to differentiate the love for God from the love for things common among the pagans.
(b) Students need to submit themselves to the scrutiny of a wise teacher who can dissuade them from becoming prideful.
(c) Students need to submit themselves to the process of purging their selfish desires.
(d) Students need to devote themselves to studying the subjects Augustine recommended in Book Two.
7. What type of language from Scriptural characters must be taken literally, according to Augustine?
(a) Any speech or language that defines how a thing is a sign.
(b) Any speech or language that details the authority of God.
(c) Any speech or language that describes blessings for the chosen of God.
(d) Any speech or language that condemns evil and recommends love or kindness.
8. Upon what does Augustine say the student of Scripture must rely during his studies?
(a) The student must rely on experience.
(b) The student must rely heavily on manuscripts of Scripture.
(c) The student must rely on translations of manuscripts of Scripture.
(d) The student must rely heavily on experts.
9. How does Augustine say a student should treat any evil actions or speech from characters Scriptures praise as holy?
(a) As a blasphemy against God and the character's holiness must be considered as revoked by God.
(b) As an announcement from God of impending judgment.
(c) As figurative language.
(d) They must be treated as a poor interpretation and a study of the language and history of the passage must be examined.
10. What does Augustine prove from the demands he expects from his students that he began defending against critics in the Preface?
(a) That Augustine does not respect people who believe they do not need to study.
(b) That understanding Scripture requires intense and focused study so proper interpretation can be applied and demonic misleading can be avoided.
(c) That Augustine does not trust his students, therefore he plans to keep them occupied.
(d) That Augustine intends to protect the integrity of his students by dominating their time.
11. What was the topic of Book Three?
(a) Learning as a discipline to prove Christian convictions.
(b) Learning the philosophy of Classic Greeks as a key to Scriptural interpretation.
(c) Learning how to handle unknown or unfamiliar signs.
(d) Learning how to overcome critics with well-reasoned and complete prose.
12. What are the two categories of signs Augustine identifies in Book Two?
(a) Signs that are things and signs that are words.
(b) Natural signs and given signs.
(c) Signs that can be used and signs that can be enjoyed.
(d) Signs that are given through special gifts and signs that are given through angels.
13. 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 worship things as signs as pagans do.
(b) Christians must be careful not to convert personal motivations into causes of worship as pagans do.
(c) Christians must be careful not to use signs to elevate oneself as pagans do.
(d) Christians must be careful not to confuse signs and things as many pagans do.
14. What is ironic about the fact that Augustine referred to Tyconius' "Book of Rules" as being useful for the interpretation of Scripture?
(a) Tyconius was a Donatist and much of "On Christian Doctrine" is written to address points of disagreement between Augustine and Donatists.
(b) Tyconius was a Greek philosopher and Augustine was wary of Greek philosophers.
(c) Augustine eschewed rules that do not originate from Scripture.
(d) Tyconius was ruled a heretic for taking liberties in the examination of Scripture.
15. What does Augustine recommend as methods for handling the topic in Book Three?
(a) Theological virtue and great learning as methods of handling the problem of Book Two.
(b) Seclusion from secular temptations to allow for the maturation of the "inner eye" as methods of handling the problem of book two.
(c) Strict adherence to the dietary laws of Israel and understanding of prophecy as methods of handling the problem of book two.
(d) Exclusive study of Scripture and submission to the proper guidance from church officials as methods of handling the problem of book two.
Short Answer Questions
1. What are the mix of subjects that Augustine emphasizes in his education?
2. How does Augustine state a student should consider an evil command given to its intended target?
3. According to Book Two, what is the most important knowledge a student of scripture can have?
4. From what type of education does Augustine develop his curriculum of Scriptural learning?
5. Of the areas that Augustine emphasizes, what area receives the most intense focus?
This section contains 1,246 words
(approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page)