Scholars have discovered two previously unknown sermons by St. Augustine of Hippo while translating an 11th-century manuscript from a German monastery. The manuscript, originating from Bad Doberan Abbey, contained copies of six sermons attributed to Augustine. Christian Tornau, a Latin scholar at the University of Würzburg, identified the two sermons as previously undiscovered writings by Augustine. Initially, Tornau and his colleagues suspected the authenticity of the sermons due to the prevalence of forged works attributed to Augustine. However, after analyzing Augustine's humor, references to his North African Christian tradition, and a distinctive style of prayer, they concluded that the sermons are indeed authentic.
The newly discovered sermons focus on the biblical account of King Saul and the Witch of Endor from the First Book of Samuel. Tornau noted that Augustine's interpretation of Saul's repentance is a significant aspect of the sermons. Unlike many Christian scholars who view Saul as an unrepentant villain, Augustine suggested that Saul made peace with God before his death. Tornau emphasized that this reflects Augustine's independence of thought and his belief in the possibility of salvation for all, even those perceived as evil.
The sermons also address theological questions, such as the nature of necromancy and divine providence. Tornau is collaborating with the publisher Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum (CSEL) to publish Augustine's sermons.