A 6-lectures Course by Dr. Bart Ehrman

In the Beginning

Course cover

Explore the ancient narratives that started it all.

Course Overview

Unlock the Historical Secrets, Legends, and Myths of Genesis

Do you desire to learn profound insights about Genesis but worry about prior academic knowledge, language barriers, or a busy schedule? This course is meticulously designed to empower anyone to understand the historical secrets of this foundational biblical text.

Professor Ehrman, a world-renowned Bible scholar, will guide you through the fascinating complexities of Genesis, revealing its historical, legendary, and mythical layers. You'll gain university-level instruction at your own pace from the comfort of your home, for a fraction of the cost of a traditional university class.

What You'll Gain

  • Insights into the Book of Genesis without any prior knowledge needed.
  • Learn at your own pace from the comfort of your home.
  • Access university-level instruction for a fraction of the cost of an expensive university class.
  • Explore fascinating, little-known historical secrets of one of the Bible's most foundational texts.

Your Instructor

Dr. Bart Ehrman

James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Bart Ehrman
Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he taught from 1988 until his retirement in 2025. Recognized internationally for his scholarship on the New Testament and early Christianity, Professor Ehrman has written or edited thirty three books, including six New York Times bestsellers. His college level textbook The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings has remained the best-selling text in the field for more than twenty-five years. His scholarly works have been published by Oxford, Harvard, Yale, and other premier academic presses, and his books have been translated into twenty-seven languages, reaching millions of readers worldwide. Beyond the classroom, Professor Ehrman is a widely recognized public scholar. He has produced nine acclaimed courses for The Great Courses, in addition to numerous online courses available through BartEhrman.com. His books and courses have sold more than two million copies. He also writes for his charitable blog, The Bart Ehrman Blog, which has raised millions for organizations addressing poverty, homelessness, and hunger. In addition, he hosts the weekly podcast Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman, available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, where he brings cutting-edge biblical scholarship to a global audience.

Sneak Peek Inside the "In the Beginning" Course

Course Curriculum

1

The Pentateuch: An Introduction

30 MIN
  • Introduces the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.
  • Explores why these books present challenges for modern biblical scholarship.
  • Explains how recognizing the Bible as a compilation of texts by different authors changes our understanding.
2

The Creation Stories of Genesis

30 MIN
  • Examines the creation narratives in Genesis, highlighting their contradictions.
  • Discusses how these stories differ from scientific explanations.
  • Explores the importance of viewing these stories as myths, focusing on their cultural and theological significance.
3

Did Genesis Borrow Its Stories From Other Cultures?

30 MIN
  • Reveals how some of Genesis's most famous stories (creation, flood) share similarities with older stories from other cultures, such as the Babylonian "Epic of Gilgamesh."
  • Discusses the implications of these borrowings for understanding the origins of Genesis.
4

The Patriarchs: History or Legend?

30 MIN
  • Focuses on the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
  • Questions whether these narratives are historical accounts or legendary tales.
  • Explores evidence for and against their historicity and what these stories convey about Israel's origins and relationship with God.
5

Moral Lesson in the Stories of the Patriarchs

30 MIN
  • Examines the moral teachings found in the stories of the Patriarchs.
  • Addresses challenging ethical dilemmas presented in these narratives.
  • Explores how they reflect the complexities of understanding divine will and morality in ancient times.
6

Who Wrote the Pentateuch?

30 MIN
  • Explores the question of who authored the Pentateuch.
  • Challenges the traditional view that Moses wrote these books.
  • Discusses the evidence for multiple authorship and how modern scholars understand the composition of these foundational biblical texts.

Bonus Content!

Five Exclusive Bonus Resources

Enhance your learning and deepen your understanding with these exclusive bonus resources, designed to complement your "In the Beginning" course experience.

Bonus #1

Comprehensive Resources Pack

Take your learning experience to the next level with Text Overviews, Printable PDFs with note-taking space, and Thought-Provoking Reflection Questions for each lesson.

Value $60.00

Bonus #2

Exclusive Q&A Sessions

Gain extra insights with 60 minutes of Q&A. After each lecture, Bart Ehrman answers participant questions, adding clarity and depth to the course material.

Value $90.00

Bonus #3

Audio Downloads

Enjoy the flexibility of learning wherever you are with audio files of each lecture. Perfect for listening while in the car, working out, or anytime you're on the move.

Value $30.00

Bonus #4

FREE Lecture from "Finding Moses"

Unlock the mysteries of Moses with a bonus lecture from the 'Finding Moses' series, exploring the dramatic and controversial story of this significant figure.

Value $24.95

Bonus #5

Self-Assessment Quiz

Challenge yourself after completing your course with a customized multiple-choice quiz. Turn passive learning into active understanding and long-term memory.

Value $20.00

June Only!

The regular price for the "In the Beginning" online course is usually $59.95. However, for the entire month of June, you get to decide what it's worth. Simply enter any amount you want in the price box at checkout to get full access—no strings attached!

From Course Participants

What Students Are Saying

Mesmerizing! Professor Ehrman's presentation and breadth of knowledge are astounding. Some of his insights are transformative.
SM
Stacey MorrisCourse Member
"No one ever told me in church that there are actually two creation stories of the beginning!"
JA
Jochum AdmiraalCourse Member
Dr. Ehrman is a fantastic lecturer. He is insightful, lucid, and clear in his objective of historical examination of bible sources.
SC
Scott CassinghamCourse Member
I really enjoyed the historical perspective on Genesis and Ehrman's enthusiasm for the subject.
VM
Victoria MeredithCourse Member
The material was easy to follow. Dr. Ehrman's presentation was excellent.
DL
Donald LillardCourse Member
The separation of history from legend and myth was particularly enlightening.
BC
Barry ClickCourse Member
I purchased In the Beginning and I love it! I like the way Dr. Ehrman explains things and breaks it down in layman terms.
SR
Shirleen RussellCourse Member

Gain Deeper Insights into In the Beginning

6 in-depth lectures, the comprehensive Q&A recordings, downloadable audio, and exclusive bonus resources. Lifetime access.

Frequently Asked

Questions & Answers

Is this a Live Course?

Bart gave the lectures and recorded them for a live audience, so there is no live component to this course. However, as an "In the Beginning" course student, you will receive advanced notification and discounts to Bart's future live events. In addition, included in this purchase is Lifetime Access to the Online Course.

Who is Bart Ehrman?

Bart D. Ehrman is a professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina. He has written or edited thirty-four books, including six New York Times bestsellers: How Jesus Became God, Misquoting Jesus, Jesus Interrupted, and Forged.

How did you calculate the value of the course?

The value of this course was calculated by comparing it to similar university-level courses. A typical 3-unit college course covering similar material often costs between $3,000 and $6,000, depending on the institution. Since our course offers 6 in-depth lectures, we estimated its value based on the amount of content, expertise of the instructor, and the depth of the material covered. Additionally, the bonuses included, such as the comprehensive resources pack, exclusive Q&A sessions, audio lessons, and a free lecture from the "Finding Moses" series, add significant value, bringing the total estimated value to $374.65. But the regular price is only $59.95.

Where can I watch the course?

You can watch the course on any device with internet access, including your phone, tablet, or computer. Our courses are hosted on ThriveCart, a secure and user-friendly course platform, ensuring you have a smooth and enjoyable learning experience on any device.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

Absolutely! If you don't love the course, send us an email to support@bartehrman.com and we will refund 100% of your investment. You will have 30 days from the date of purchase.

Alternatively, this course is available through The Biblical Studies Academy (BSA), our premium membership and training community.

Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee · Lifetime access to all course materials

$1 from your purchase is donated to charity: water.