Augustine of Hippo — Questions and answers

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According to Dr. Eleanor Vance, why does Augustine of Hippo still matter to us today?

Choices

  1. A) Because people are still wrestling with the same questions Augustine did. ✓
  2. B) Because he invented the first autobiography in Western literature.
  3. C) Because he lived in the 4th century AD.
  4. D) Because his ideas only influence debates about human nature.

Answer: A) Because people are still wrestling with the same questions Augustine did.

From page 1

What was Augustine's mother's name, and what did she pray for?

Choices

  1. A) Her name was Eleanor, and she prayed for him to become a philosopher.
  2. B) Her name was Monica, and she prayed for his conversion to Christianity. ✓
  3. C) Her name was Thagaste, and she prayed for him to be a good student.
  4. D) Her name was Vance, and she prayed for him to explore Neoplatonism.

Answer: B) Her name was Monica, and she prayed for his conversion to Christianity.

From page 2

What happened when Augustine heard the child's voice chanting 'Tolle lege, tolle lege'?

Choices

  1. A) He became more tormented by his inner conflicts.
  2. B) He decided to leave Milan and go home.
  3. C) He opened the Bible and read a passage that led to his conversion. ✓
  4. D) He opened a book of poetry at random.

Answer: C) He opened the Bible and read a passage that led to his conversion.

From page 3

What was Augustine's famous work 'The City of God' a response to?

Choices

  1. A) The building of new cities in Roman North Africa.
  2. B) The sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD. ✓
  3. C) People losing faith in the City of Man.
  4. D) The need to describe two kinds of cities in Hippo.

Answer: B) The sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD.

From page 4

Which of Augustine's ideas has been particularly controversial, according to Dr. Vance?

Choices

  1. A) His ideas about the nature of time.
  2. B) His views on original sin.
  3. C) His emphasis on divine grace.
  4. D) His ideas about predestination. ✓

Answer: D) His ideas about predestination.

From page 7