GBTIIIQuestions

1. Confessions; I-V

Is "The Confessions" an appropriate title for this book? What does Augustine confess? What would be a more appropriate title for this book?

Recount and explain the means God used to draw Augustine from the Manicheans.

2. Confessions; VI-IX

When we read Augustine's descriptions of God's nature, it is often easy to hear the "echos" of his Platonism. How did Plato's influence on Augustine shape his understanding of God's nature? Was this influence an aid or detriment in his coming to true faith?

3. Confessions; X-XI

Explain how Augustine thinks the Confessions can convert a pagan mind.

If the Roman Catholic Church had not strayed from Augustine's theology, would the Proquizant reformation have been necessary?

What is the difference between motion and time?

Why is memory important to the Christian?

Why is the discussion of time important to The Confessions?

4. City of God; Book I

To what purpose is Christian suffering?

Contrast the Christian and pagan understanding of honor.

5.City of God; Books II & III

To what purpose is Christian suffering?

How does Christianity change our understanding of honor?

6. City of God; Books IV & V

What inconsistencies does Augustine show in the Pantheon?

Why did the Romans leave their earlier monotheism for the pantheon?

Explain Augustine's arguments against fate using the example of twins.

How can God foreknow and yet man make significant choices? Make sure to explain using quotes from Augustine, not R.C. Sproul.

Ought a member of the city of God show patriotic enthusiasm for the city of man?

7. City of God; Books VIII, X

Is Augustine's appreciation of the pagan error in Plato's thought adequate?

Why is Christ the only mediator?

Are demons merely spirits or solely evil spirits? Why is such a distinction important?

8. City of God; Books XI & XII

Explain how God can be a "just ruler of evil wills" (XI.17) and yet not the author of sin.

XII.4 How is it that all things give glory to God?

XII. 7 Why must the evil will have no efficient (immediate) cause?

Explain Augustine's arguments against reincarnation.

9. City of God; Books XIII & XIV *Paper 1 due*

XIII.3 Why does Adam's sin produce a sin nature in all men?

Is death an evil?

10. City of God; Books XIX & XXII

How is a Christian to live in the city of man?

11. Proslogium;

Chapter II-III. Is the argument given in these chapters, commonly called the ontological argument, convincing?

12. Monologium; Chapters 1-40

Should the fact that Anselm does not refer to the scriptures make his arguments more or less persuasive?

13. Monologium; Chapters 41-79

Explain the differences and similarities between the members of the trinity.

How can there be differences between the members of the trinity and yet they are one?

14. Cur Deus Homo; Book One

Why must sin be punished rather than simply forgiven? Explain in Anselm's terms.

15. Cur Deus Homo; Book Two *Paper 2 due*

Review Boso's summary at the end of chapter 18a of Cur Deus Homo and be prepared to summarize Anselm's reasoning for each of the positions Boso explains.

16. Summa Theologiae; Prima Pars, Questions 2&3

If God's existence can be proved, why is it not self-evident that He exists.

17. Divine Comedy; Inferno I-XVII

If Dante is a Christian, why does he include so many pagan references in the Comedy?

18. Divine Comedy; Inferno XVIII-XXXIV

What do you learn of the nature of sin from the Inferno?

19. Divine Comedy; Purgatorio I-XVIII

In what way does Dante’s understanding of Free Will (Cantos 17-18) shape his vision of Purgatory?

20. Divine Comedy; Purgatorio XIX-XXXIII

Is Beatrice a Christ-figure?

21. Divine Comedy; Paradiso I-XVII

Venice pictures
yearbook/europe06/IMG_0910.jpg
yearbook/europe06/IMG_0910.jpg

22. Divine Comedy; Paradiso XVIII-XXXIII

Is the Divine Comedy a help towards spiritual maturity?

23. Summa Theologiae; Prima Pars, Question 13

In what sense can we say that our statements about God are true?

24. Summa Theologiae; Prima Secundae, Questions 90-94

Compare and contrast divine law, eternal law, natural law and human law.

25. Summa Theologiae; Prima Secundae, Questions 95-97 *Paper 3 due*

Ought there to be human laws against swearing, adultery or divorce?

26. Summa Theologiae; Prima Secundae, Questions 100, a 1-3,9,10,12; 106; 108; 109

100.9 Why should the mode (or state) of Virtue not be judged by law?

100.10 If we are to look to the divine for guidance in forming human law, should we not legislate all divine commands, i.e. love your neighbor?

100. 13Does Aquinas believe we are saved through obedience to the law?

106.3 If the Gospel is superior to the Old Covenant, we didn’t God give the Gospel to start with?

Is grace necessary?

27. Summa Theologiae; Secunda Secundae, Questions 1; 2; 4 (a.8 only)

Is faith as certain as science?

28. Canterbury Tales; Prologue (through the Knight and Squire); Knight's Tale

Explain love as it is found in the Knight’s tale.

Why did wise king Theseus have Palamon and Emily marry?

29. Canterbury Tales; Prologue (to end), Miller's Prologue and Tale; Reeve's Prologue and Tale; Chaucer’s Retractions

Can a Christian write such tales in good conscience?

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/

http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/chaucess.htm

30. Canterbury Tales; Nun's Priest's Tale and Epilogue; Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale

Who does the wife of Bath end her tale with the long discussion of gentility?

31. Canterbury Tales; Clerk's Prologue and Tale; Frankelyn's Prologue and Tale; Parson's Prologue and Tale (in synopsis); Chaucer's Retractions

Compare and contrast Griselda and Job.

How can the same man write both the Franklin’s tale and the Miller’s tale?

32. As You Like It

Compare and contrast social life in the castle with life in the forest of Arden.

Would you rather live in the country or the city?

33. Henry IV, Part I *Paper 4 due*

34. The Prince

Is Machiavelli wise?

35. Richard II