Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. Behold, I answer to him who asks, What was God doing before He made heaven and earth? I answer not, as a certain person is reported to have done facetiously (avoiding the pressure of the question), He was preparing hell, says he, for those who pry into mysteries. (Confessions, Book XI, Chapter 12)

This quote is from St. Augustine’s discussion of___

time
divine punishment
the folly of philosophy
the nature of God

Answer 1

I would say the nature of god. We already know that time isn't a real answer since it is but a detail of what the author's message is. It attacks the concept of what God first decided to do, before the supposed creation of all we have known.

Answer 2

Answer:

The nature of God

Explanation:

In these lines, St. Augustine criticizes a view that was common during his time. This is the view that argues that curiosity is a sin, and that God should not be questioned or understood. In these lines, he asks what God was doing before Creation. However, he argues that those who condemn the question (by implying that those who pry into this mystery go to Hell) is expressing a view he disagrees with. Moreover, this implies that St. Augustine does not believe God would view this question as a sin either. Therefore, he does not think this attitude reflects the nature of God.