Faith and reason aren’t opposites but rather different ways of knowing, according to one of three Creighton professors who each presented on famous philosophical interpretations of Bible stories to a full room in the Humanities Building on Friday.

“How can someone understand a person like Abraham?” said Jeanne Schuler, an associate professor in Creighton’s philosophy department, who spoke on philosopher Soren Kierkegaard’s interpretation of the story of Abraham being asked by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. “To understand we have to generalize, but there’s nothing general about Abraham, or faith.”

“Faith emerges from dread,” said Schuler. “It feels the abyss … to thrust himself completely on God’s mercy takes all [Abraham’s] strength.”

Presenting with Schuler were professors of philosophy Patrick Murray and Richard White, who presented on psychologist and philosopher Carl Jung’s interpretation of the story of Job, the incarnation of Christ and Mary.

“For Jung the reality of God and religion cannot be kept separate form everyday life,” said White. “He argued that it would be a mistake to think of God as a purely transcendent being since the God-image is held deep within the soul.”

Another presentation focused on philosopher Immanuel Kant’s allegorical interpretation of the story of God’s expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Even. Kant’s reading was “an allegory for human beings emerging out of nature,” said Murray. “Of our transition from animality into humanity.”

Each presenter had the full attention of the crowded room of students and teachers, and several had to bring extra chairs as room 212 of Dowling Hall filled beyond any normal class size. “I was hoping to come and support my colleagues,” said David McPherson, an assistant professor in Creighton’s philosophy department. “I hadn’t expected such a great turnout.”

Each speaker was given 20 minutes to talk and afterward the audience was given a chance to ask questions. Eventually, the subject of the importance of religion in modern society came up, to which each speaker offered an answer.

Murray’s answer focused on the universality of religion.

“Religion is trying to communicate to people in all stages of life in a wide variety of ways,” said Murray, while White’s answer addressed religion’s relevance for life’s difficult questions.

“If you have meaning of life questions you should go to religion as a start.” Said White.

Finally, Schuler emphasized the need in a fractured society for the bonds that religion offers. “Religion is a way of being together in the world,” she said.