A New Live Course

The Penniless Carpenter

Jesus left his home & work to preach. So how did he eat, and why would anyone follow a homeless nobody?

  • Live · Sept 12-13
  • 6 Lectures
  • Bart Ehrman · UNC Chapel Hill
The Penniless Carpenter: The Life and Message of Jesus in His Historical Context, with Bart Ehrman course art

He walked away from his trade, his home, and his family.

He still had to eat.

So how did he?

The world he preached into

Subsistence farming, Roman taxes, and almost no way out.

The synagogue ruins at Capernaum · Photo: Eddie Gerald
The Lectures

Six lectures,
across two days.

01 Day One

Jesus: The Wealthy Man Nobody Knows

One of the best-selling books of the entire twentieth century was Bruce Barton’s The Man Nobody Knows (1925), which portrayed Jesus as a model entrepreneur who revealed the secrets of business success.

02 Day One

Jesus: Embedded and Embodied

Everything you say and do is embedded in a particular context and makes sense only in that context.

03 Day One

Jesus the Financial Advisor

It seems well-nigh impossible not to assume that the concerns, interests, and perspectives of Jesus were basically the same as the ones we have today.

04 Day Two

Jesus and Other Penniless Preachers

It is one of the most striking features of Jesus’ life that, as an adult, he abandoned his home, his family, and his occupation (which did not involve making fine cabinetry for upscale Nazareth residences) to take up an itinerant preaching ministry with a group of followers who did the same.

05 Day Two

Jesus and the Economics of Survival

Anyone who abandons home and livelihood needs some means of survival. At the most basic level: how do such people eat, and where do they sleep? Some answers may seem obvious.

06 Day Two

Jesus and Revolutionary Indifference

To make Jesus relevant, many people simply assume that whatever matters most to us must have mattered most to him.

Prepare to Rethink

Common assumptions
this course will challenge.

Common Assumption

Jesus’ concerns were basically our concerns.

In fact

The interests we bring to him, markets, government, social reform, are ours. Reading his sayings against the questions his own world was actually asking produces a different Jesus than almost anyone expects.

Common Assumption

Jesus’ followers gave up comfortable lives to follow him.

In fact

Most of them had very little to begin with. Leaving their work moved them from poverty into destitution, and that is the choice that needs explaining.

Common Assumption

Jesus came to overthrow Rome.

In fact

Reza Aslan’s Zealot and Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Jesus agree on almost nothing except this. Jesus looks strangely uninterested in Rome, in taxes, and in reforming any of it. He was after something else.

Common Assumption

A poor preacher would have been an easy sell to poor people.

In fact

Men who quit working to travel and live on other people’s food were a recognizable type in the Roman world, and not a type everyone admired.

What you’ll walk away with

What you’ll come away seeing.

Bart D. Ehrman
Bart D. Ehrman · 2026
Your Instructor

Bart D. Ehrman.

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

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.

  • Distinguished Professor Emeritus, UNC
  • Six-time New York Times bestseller
  • Nine courses for The Great Courses
  • Host of Misquoting Jesus
Course at a Glance

Two days, live with Bart.

Format Live online, then recorded
Lectures 6 · plus live Q&A each day
Dates Sept 12 & 13, 2026
Access Lifetime, watch anytime
Instructor Bart Ehrman

Included with
your course.

$1 from every registration is donated to charity: water, bringing clean water to people in need.

What students say

What people say about
studying with Bart.

As has come to be expected from Bart’s courses, this one was provocative, insightful, thought provoking and enjoyable.
Rick Wenzel
What I really love about listening to Dr. Ehrman at any time is that he is so thorough. He works hard to bring us as much accuracy as possible. He is a great observer and points out problem areas without judgment.
Rev. Cheryl Driskell
He was also integral in not only providing sound, academic information... but also served to help me become more fascinated in the Bible more than I had ever been in my entire lifetime.
David Conner
Big Bart Ehrman fan here - I use his videos for my daily 3 mile treadmill workouts and they have sparked a long personal journey into biblical scholarship and archeology. I literally listen to Bart everyday and find that I can also go back to previously watched vids for further review/insight.
John Miller
Bart and Megan, and the BSA, are my trusted source for historical facts around the Bible and Christian mythology. I enjoy Bart's reasoned and thoughtful presentations. I catch Misquoting Jesus every week and have gone back and listened to the entire collection. Amazing work!
Scott Nelson
The Conferences certainly offer serious value to anyone that has even heard of the Bible. They offer real insight into a broad range of questions and addressed by qualified scholars.
Alvin Baca
As an amateur lover of studying the Intertestamental periods of the Bible, ~ 300 BCE to 330 CE, the excellent scholarly lectures I watched in this Conference helped me to understand better many of the ideas I otherwise would have difficulty discovering on my own.
Ron Sandor
Bart’s presentation is excellent, especially since he does not have to worry about stepping on church teaching. His presentations are refreshing, informative and humorous. I strongly recommend them.
Mark Matthews
The course provided new interpretations on Luke’s gospel that I had not heard before. Dr Ehrman does an excellent job of explaining concepts and interpretations in all of his courses.
Teresa Mushik
I enjoy Bart's courses due to their accessibility and objectivity. No matter ones background, the subject matter is not out of reach. It is presented with evidences and interesting connections that you can have an opinion about.
Peter Clemens
Prompts long discussions! Appreciate the depth and breadth of his knowledge. So important to have access to excellent teaching, so minds don’t get rusty.
Ysabeault d’Valar-Alba
Dr. Ehrman always is able to explain complex topics clearly, bringing in good humor and engaging examples.
Michael Waddell (image available at BSA)
As has come to be expected from Bart’s courses, this one was provocative, insightful, thought provoking and enjoyable.
Rick Wenzel
What I really love about listening to Dr. Ehrman at any time is that he is so thorough. He works hard to bring us as much accuracy as possible. He is a great observer and points out problem areas without judgment.
Rev. Cheryl Driskell
He was also integral in not only providing sound, academic information... but also served to help me become more fascinated in the Bible more than I had ever been in my entire lifetime.
David Conner
Big Bart Ehrman fan here - I use his videos for my daily 3 mile treadmill workouts and they have sparked a long personal journey into biblical scholarship and archeology. I literally listen to Bart everyday and find that I can also go back to previously watched vids for further review/insight.
John Miller
Bart and Megan, and the BSA, are my trusted source for historical facts around the Bible and Christian mythology. I enjoy Bart's reasoned and thoughtful presentations. I catch Misquoting Jesus every week and have gone back and listened to the entire collection. Amazing work!
Scott Nelson
The Conferences certainly offer serious value to anyone that has even heard of the Bible. They offer real insight into a broad range of questions and addressed by qualified scholars.
Alvin Baca
As an amateur lover of studying the Intertestamental periods of the Bible, ~ 300 BCE to 330 CE, the excellent scholarly lectures I watched in this Conference helped me to understand better many of the ideas I otherwise would have difficulty discovering on my own.
Ron Sandor
Bart’s presentation is excellent, especially since he does not have to worry about stepping on church teaching. His presentations are refreshing, informative and humorous. I strongly recommend them.
Mark Matthews
The course provided new interpretations on Luke’s gospel that I had not heard before. Dr Ehrman does an excellent job of explaining concepts and interpretations in all of his courses.
Teresa Mushik
I enjoy Bart's courses due to their accessibility and objectivity. No matter ones background, the subject matter is not out of reach. It is presented with evidences and interesting connections that you can have an opinion about.
Peter Clemens
Prompts long discussions! Appreciate the depth and breadth of his knowledge. So important to have access to excellent teaching, so minds don’t get rusty.
Ysabeault d’Valar-Alba
Dr. Ehrman always is able to explain complex topics clearly, bringing in good humor and engaging examples.
Michael Waddell (image available at BSA)
Dr. Ehrman has completed the scholarly task that I could never complete. He has been a blessing to my spiritual journey and faith. His books and more has changed my life.
Ron Pierce, Colorado Springs, Co
Dr. Ehrman is my go-to authority on the NT. No matter what the topic, he is insightful and clear, even to my layman’s ear. I do study with other authorities, but none are as ‘user friendly’ as Dr. Ehrman. This course was just another example of excellence.
Richard Caniglia
Bart is in my opinion the foremost NT scholar. The course was cogent and easy to understand. I recommend it to everyone I teach or mentor. Nothing objectionable in his courses.
David Pruett
It was as though I dipped my big toe into water, and now I have signed up for future presentations on the Bart Ehrman’s site to wade in a little deeper.
Judith Lombana EdD
I learn more about the Bible from one BSA conference lecture than from a dozen ordinary Sunday sermons.
Tony Cruz
For me BSA has been an an excellent educational source of new insight and understanding of the Bible, the environment in which the people of antiquity lived, worked and their social structure. I look forward to the coming year with new and refreshing subjects.
James Makinson
I love your content. It's like opening a window on a spring day and letting in intellectual and spiritual fresh air. Thank you for your hard work!
Micah Conger
It never fails to amaze me how much I have misunderstood Bible stories from my youth. This was yet another example of how critical reading - and learning the CONTEXT around the passages (as well as how much we simply cannot know) can make the stories richer and more real.
Denise Reasoner
Every time I attend one of these, I learn something new about the subject which broadens what I thought I knew about early Christianity and its place in the world of the time. I am almost always totally blown away. Keep them coming!
Pauline Ahern
Your courses in general have been a massive help to find freedom and peace. Even if there is nothing after life, just the peace of being free from the burden of guilt under the illusion of a fairy tale god, christ, bible, and church, has been laid to rest. Thank you Dr. Ehrman!
Bob Grant
I was very pleased to learn that historical contradictions and errors help us to better understand the gospels and that academics do not try to tear the Bible apart.
Xavier Salvador
This was my first time attending a 'New Insights' conference and it was great! I live in the UK and so couldn't attend anything live, but all the talks were uploaded really quickly and so I've been able to watch them in my own time.
Mike Waine
Dr. Ehrman has completed the scholarly task that I could never complete. He has been a blessing to my spiritual journey and faith. His books and more has changed my life.
Ron Pierce, Colorado Springs, Co
Dr. Ehrman is my go-to authority on the NT. No matter what the topic, he is insightful and clear, even to my layman’s ear. I do study with other authorities, but none are as ‘user friendly’ as Dr. Ehrman. This course was just another example of excellence.
Richard Caniglia
Bart is in my opinion the foremost NT scholar. The course was cogent and easy to understand. I recommend it to everyone I teach or mentor. Nothing objectionable in his courses.
David Pruett
It was as though I dipped my big toe into water, and now I have signed up for future presentations on the Bart Ehrman’s site to wade in a little deeper.
Judith Lombana EdD
I learn more about the Bible from one BSA conference lecture than from a dozen ordinary Sunday sermons.
Tony Cruz
For me BSA has been an an excellent educational source of new insight and understanding of the Bible, the environment in which the people of antiquity lived, worked and their social structure. I look forward to the coming year with new and refreshing subjects.
James Makinson
I love your content. It's like opening a window on a spring day and letting in intellectual and spiritual fresh air. Thank you for your hard work!
Micah Conger
It never fails to amaze me how much I have misunderstood Bible stories from my youth. This was yet another example of how critical reading - and learning the CONTEXT around the passages (as well as how much we simply cannot know) can make the stories richer and more real.
Denise Reasoner
Every time I attend one of these, I learn something new about the subject which broadens what I thought I knew about early Christianity and its place in the world of the time. I am almost always totally blown away. Keep them coming!
Pauline Ahern
Your courses in general have been a massive help to find freedom and peace. Even if there is nothing after life, just the peace of being free from the burden of guilt under the illusion of a fairy tale god, christ, bible, and church, has been laid to rest. Thank you Dr. Ehrman!
Bob Grant
I was very pleased to learn that historical contradictions and errors help us to better understand the gospels and that academics do not try to tear the Bible apart.
Xavier Salvador
This was my first time attending a 'New Insights' conference and it was great! I live in the UK and so couldn't attend anything live, but all the talks were uploaded really quickly and so I've been able to watch them in my own time.
Mike Waine

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What This Course Is Worth

Six live lectures and two live Q&A sessions with the most widely read scholar of the New Testament.

Included in Your Purchase: Lifetime Access to This University-Level Course With:

  • Six 50-minute live lectures by Bart D. Ehrman
  • A live Q&A session at the end of each day
  • Full recordings with lifetime access
  • Lecture slides, transcripts & audio downloads
  • Reflection questions & recommended readings

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Everything you
need to know.

When is the course, and what are the times?
The course runs live over two days. Day One is Saturday, September 12, from 1:00 pm to 4:25 pm Eastern. Day Two is Sunday, September 13, from 2:00 pm to 5:25 pm Eastern. Each day is three 50-minute lectures with short breaks in between, closing with a 30-minute live Q&A.
How many lectures are included?
Six lectures of about 50 minutes each, three per day, plus a live Q&A session at the end of each day.
What if I can’t attend live?
You will not miss anything. Every lecture and both Q&A sessions are recorded, and the recordings are yours with lifetime access. Many students enroll knowing in advance that they will watch entirely on their own schedule.
How will I access the course?
After you enroll you will receive an email with your login details and the live session links. The recordings, slides, transcripts, and audio downloads are all posted to our online course platform, ThriveCart Learn, where you can watch them any time.
Do I have lifetime access?
Yes. The lectures, the Q&A recordings, and every bonus are yours with lifetime access. Watch them on any device, on your own schedule, as often as you like.
Do I need any prior knowledge of the Bible?
No prior knowledge is required. Bart introduces every text, the historical background, and the scholarly debates as the course unfolds. Whether you are coming in fresh or already have a background in biblical studies, you will find it genuinely rewarding.
Will subtitles or captions be available?
Yes. All recordings include closed captioning, and full transcripts are included with the course, so you can follow along in text or search for a specific passage.
Can I ask Bart a question?
Yes. Each of the two days ends with a live Q&A session, and questions from attendees are what fill it. If you cannot make it live, the full Q&A recordings are included.
What payment types are accepted?
We accept PayPal and all major credit cards.
Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
Absolutely. If you don’t love the course, send us an email at support@bartehrman.com within 30 days of purchase and we will refund every penny.
Is this budget-friendly?
Comparable weekend intensives and academic workshops with scholars of this caliber routinely run hundreds of dollars per attendee. This course delivers six full lectures, two live Q&A sessions, and a complete set of study materials online, at a price meant to keep serious biblical scholarship genuinely accessible.