Professor to Explore Agnosticism in CAS Inquire Talk

Stephen Lahey to give lecture on "Holy Agnosticism" at University of Nebraska-Lincoln on February 24.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Stephen Lahey, professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will give a talk titled "Holy Agnosticism" as part of the CAS Inquire lecture series on February 24. The free, public event will explore how agnosticism is not just about "not knowing" God, but a long-standing spiritual tradition that embraces ambiguity and a lack of certainty about the divine.

Why it matters

The CAS Inquire series aims to connect students with college thought leaders to discuss ideas around themes of uncertainty. Lahey's lecture on agnosticism and Western mysticism provides an opportunity for the university community to explore perspectives on the nature of religious and spiritual knowledge.

The details

Lahey's talk will trace how encounters described in sacred texts, and later termed 'mysticism,' often involve ambiguity, self‑loss and what some have called 'learned ignorance.' He will introduce Western Mysticism as a 2,000‑year practice that embraces a lack of knowledge about God as a meaningful and authentic path.

  • The talk will take place at 5 p.m. on February 24, 2026.
  • The CAS Inquire series launched in September 2019 and has featured talks from various academic perspectives.

The players

Stephen Lahey

Professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who will be giving the lecture on "Holy Agnosticism".

CAS Inquire

A college-wide lecture series at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that connects students with thought leaders to discuss ideas around themes of uncertainty.

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What they’re saying

“Agnosticism isn't just about "not knowing" God, but a long-standing spiritual tradition in which people engage with mysterious, transformative experiences of the divine despite lacking certainty.”

— Stephen Lahey, Professor of Classics and Religious Studies (unl.edu)

What’s next

A panel discussion with all the CAS Inquire speakers will take place in March to close the series.

The takeaway

Lahey's lecture on agnosticism and Western mysticism provides an opportunity for the university community to explore perspectives on the nature of religious and spiritual knowledge, challenging traditional notions of certainty and embracing ambiguity as a meaningful path of spiritual exploration.