Two newly discovered sermons attributed to St. Augustine, the 4th-century bishop and influential theologian, offer a reinterpretation of the biblical narrative of the Witch of Endor. The sermons, found at Bad Doberan Abbey in Germany, suggest that the sorceress’s encounter with King Saul was not intended to curse him but to offer him a path to redemption.
The biblical account in the First Book of Samuel describes King Saul, feeling abandoned by God on the eve of a battle, secretly visiting the Witch of Endor to summon the dead prophet Samuel. Samuel foretold Saul's defeat and death. This encounter has long puzzled biblical scholars, raising questions about Saul's faith, the nature of the witch's power, and divine allowance of forbidden acts.
However, these newly unearthed sermons, identified by Latin professor Christian Tornau, propose a different perspective. According to St. Augustine’s writings, the encounter may have prompted genuine repentance in Saul before his death, thereby opening a possibility for his salvation. The texts also explore the complex relationship between occult powers and divine judgment.
"This is unparalleled in Augustine and in ancient Christianity in general, where we find a very negative image of Saul," said Tornau, who teaches at the University of Würzburg in Germany. "Augustine suggests it … and clearly takes it seriously."
Tornau spent nearly two years examining a 12th-century manuscript from Bad Doberan Abbey. Initially, he and his colleagues suspected the texts were medieval forgeries due to stylistic variations. However, further analysis revealed characteristics consistent with Augustine's work, including his distinct humor, North African liturgical traditions, and a rare style of prayer from Late Antiquity. "Our final verdict is that they are indeed authentic," Tornau stated.
The sermons are now being prepared for publication. This discovery provides scholars with a rare insight into how one of Christianity's most significant thinkers grappled with a complex biblical story that has inspired numerous scholarly works and cultural references, dating back to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and appearing in modern media such as the series 'The Expanse'.