Newly Discovered Sermons by St. Augustine Authenticated
Two previously unknown sermons attributed to St. Augustine, a major figure in Christianity, have been authenticated, bringing to light ideas that are not found in his currently available work.
The discovery was made within a medieval manuscript by Christian Turnau, a professor of Latin at the University of Wurzburg in Germany, which was copied in the 12th century. This manuscript likely derives from an earlier text that has been lost.
St. Augustine, who lived from 354 to 430 AD, was the bishop of Hippo Regius, located in modern-day Algeria, and he was particularly influential as a theologian. According to a press release from the University of Wurzburg, Augustine is regarded as one of Christianity’s most significant church fathers.
Officials from the university mentioned that his extensive writings still hold interest for scholars today. Following around two years of detailed study, Turnau is now preparing to publish the sermons in their first academic edition.
The project began in 2024 when the monastery’s preservation society enlisted Turnau to decipher the manuscript. Notably, out of six sermons in the manuscript, two were newly discovered.
These sermons discuss the Old Testament narrative involving the Witch of Endor, where King Saul consults the witch before facing the Philistines. At Saul’s request, the witch appears to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, raising theological questions—such as why an omnipotent God would permit such events.
Turnau explained that Augustine’s sermon entertains the notion that King Saul could have heard Samuel’s prophecy, felt remorse, and been ultimately saved. “The first sermon will be delivered during Sunday services and concludes with various theological questions and interpretations,” he noted.
“Our conclusion is that they are indeed authentic.”
According to Turnau, the second sermon, which was delivered the following Wednesday, presents alternative perspectives. Its style and humor suggest that the sermon is genuinely Augustine’s work. The idea that Saul might have found salvation is a particularly noteworthy aspect of this new sermon.
This is unusual within both Augustine’s writings and ancient Christianity, which typically portray Saul in a negative light. Turnau commented that Augustine’s presumably optimistic view about Saul stands out and may reflect influences from rabbinic interpretations that regard Saul more positively.
“This illustrates Augustine’s approach to spirituality, suggesting that even the most wretched among us could find grace,” Turnau expressed. He emphasized the combination of intellectual integrity and pastoral compassion typical of Augustine’s thinking.
Turnau asserted that the documents confidently date back to late antiquity, revealing a style of Christian liturgy not representative of the Middle Ages. The manuscripts contain contextual clues pointing to North Africa, aligning with late ancient customs.
Moreover, the author of the sermons appears familiar with Augustine’s ideas but does not merely replicate them, indicating a genuine scholarly engagement.
“After extensive readings and analysis, we’ve concluded that the authorship by Augustine is not significantly challenged,” Turnau mentioned, although the manuscript’s dating remains firmly in the 12th century due to the initial style differences that raised some skepticism.
“We were intrigued by the prospect of a new sermon by Augustine, yet there were parts that seemed inconsistent with his recognizable voice,” he remarked, before ultimately affirming their authenticity.
