Question 1

Augustine came to Milan to become court orator to the emperor.

Accepted Answer

Augustine went to Milan to take up a prestigious position as a professor of rhetoric, which was essentially the role of a court orator, at the imperial court.

Question 2

Augustine became the bishop of Carthage.

Accepted Answer

Augustine became the bishop of Hippo, not Carthage.

Question 3

Augustine was ordained against his will.

Accepted Answer

Augustine was initially reluctant to be ordained and even tried to avoid it, but was eventually ordained a priest and later a bishop.

Question 4

Donatism never truly collapsed until North Africa was overtaken by Muslim invaders.

Accepted Answer

Donatism persisted as a major religious movement in North Africa until the Islamic conquests of the region in the 7th century.

Question 5

Which aspects of Platonic philosophy do you think are beneficial to Christianity? Which ones do you think are particularly harmful?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which aspects of Platonic philosophy do you...

Question 6

Athanasius seemed to think that profound and even direct encounters with God could be obtained through the mediation of the biblical word and the sacraments. Others, such as Gregory of Nyssa, insisted that one had to bypass any physical mediations to encounter God most profoundly. Which position do you think makes the most sense and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Athanasius seemed to think that profound and...

Question 7

The Donatist controversy began with the problem of the authority of bishops who had renounced the faith under persecution, but were now restored. Augustine's position was that the sacramental power that they administrated had nothing to do with their personal holiness but only God's grace. Is this a coherent position? How is it defensible or not to have sinful ministers who still have sacramental authority?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Donatist controversy began with the problem...

Question 8

The Pelagian controversy proved to be an important debate in the history of Christianity. What are your views on free will? Did the Council of Orange succeed in your mind in settling the issue? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Pelagian controversy proved to be an...

Question 9

In his City of God, Augustine makes clear distinctions between the heavenly and earthly kingdoms. What connections can you make between this view and the modern separation of church and state? What do you think about his conclusions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In his City of God, Augustine makes...

Quiz 8: The Great Fathers and the Quest for Union With God