Ancient Israelite History 101 with Nate Ramsayer

Join biblical scholar and archaeologist Nate Ramsayer as we review some of the major circumstances, crises, and consequences that shaped not just the course of history in the land of ancient Israel, but also the biblical stories in their retelling of these events. No prior biblical knowledge necessary; come with questions!

Lecture topics in this course:

1. Getting to Know Ancient Israel - 11am, Friday, September 22, 2023 - This presentation introduces the region of ancient Israel and its geography, focusing on the Israelite timeline with its major events and prominent figures, starting in the book of Genesis.

2. Searching for the Exodus from Egypt – 11am, Friday, September 29, 2023 - The second lecture will teach you why the Hebrew Exodus from Egypt was a historical event, it will also talk about the different kinds of archaeological and textual clues that existed for the Israelites’ evacuation from Egypt and wandering in the wilderness. Learn what scholars do when the Bible is at tension with what is found in the ground.

3. The Chronicles of King David: Fact or Fiction? -  11am, Friday, October 13, 2023 - The third presentation will talk about what the Bible says about Israel’s most beloved ruler. The contradictory in the book of Samuel vs. the book of Chronicles -  what does this disparity tell us about Israelite history?

4. Israel Among the Empires – 11am, Friday, October 20, 2023 - The fourth presentation will talk about how Israel was dominated by larger empires from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean and which of these influenced Israelite culture and its holy scriptures; we will also look at the archaeological evidence for whom we can say were actual historical figures.

Sponsored by a Generous Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.