Join dr. jacob wright for:

THE RISE AND FALL OF BIBLICAL ISRAEL

the books of joshua, judges, samuel, and kings

Live Recordings on March 1st & 15th

Eight 50-Minute Lectures

Q&A Included

Audio Downloads Included!

BONUS: Get Lifetime Access to the Recordings!

the bible's origin story you've never heard

The Battle of Jericho

Long before the Bible existed, there was the ancient kingdom of Israel—a people fighting for land, identity, and survival in a region marked by conflict.

The biblical books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings describe this people’s rise to power and ultimate collapse under the weight of foreign empires.

But a broken nation wasn’t the end of the story. As Israel struggled to maintain a national identity without a nation, its people turned to storytelling, law codes, and historical narratives to define who they were.

The Bible didn’t emerge from power—it emerged from crisis.

A FOUNDATIONAL STORY OF POWER, WAR, AND SURVIVAL

  • What parts of Israel’s rise and fall are historical?
  • How did Israel's fall lead to the writing of the Bible?
  • How did biblical authors weave together earlier accounts?
  • What groups wrote these books, and why?
  • How does archaeology challenge or confirm this story?
  • Why do women play such crucial roles in these biblical books?
  • Were David and Solomon real historical figures?
  • Was there ever a “United Monarchy”?
  • How Israel's claim to the "Promised Land" affects us today

A STORY OF NATIONAL SURVIVAL AND TRANSFORMATION

"The biblical story of Israel’s rise and fall isn’t just about ancient kings and wars. It’s a masterful reflection on what makes a people endure—even after defeat. These texts lay the foundation for our modern ideas of national identity, resilience, and collective memory. They show us how a society on the brink of collapse can transform itself into something new."

Dr. Jacob L. Wright

ABOUT JACOB wRIGHT

Dr. Jacob L. Wright is a renowned biblical scholar and professor of Hebrew Bible at Emory University. He has taught at prestigious institutions like the University of Heidelberg and is a leading expert in biblical archaeology, warfare in the Ancient Near East, and the composition of the Hebrew Bible.

He is best known for his book Why the Bible Began, which explores how the biblical authors crafted a national identity for Israel after the traumatic Babylonian exile. His work has reshaped the field of biblical studies, highlighting themes of war, peoplehood, and power.

60,000+

2 M+

Students of Dr. Wright's Courses

5

Books Including Why the Bible Began

20+

Years Teaching the Hebrew Bible

two ways to attend

Purchase the stand-alone course and get lifetime access to it -or- subscribe to The Biblical Studies Academy.  You can join with a free trial.  As long as you are still a subscriber when the course gets recorded, you will get access.

Stand-Alone Purchase

Enjoy University-level learning at a fraction of the cost

$119 Value

$49.95

Special Early Bird Price—Increases to $59.95 on Feb. 16th


Included in Your Purchase: Lifetime Access to This 8-Lesson, University-Level Course With:

  • Attend the live recording of each lecture online on March 1st and 15th
  • Eight 50-minute lectures by Dr. Jacob Wright
  • Two 30-minute Q&A sessions
  • PDF lesson guides - BONUS
  • 30% discount on all courses in our "How Scholars Read the Bible" Series
  • Audio downloads for listening on the go - BONUS 

JOIN THE biblical studies academy (BSA)!

The Rise & Fall of Israel + 3 University-Level Courses Per Year + 20+ Online Courses + Exclusive BSA Community Access

$3500 Value

Free Trial

then *$49.95/month


Included in your membership:

  • Access to ALL 20+ courses in the Bart Ehrman catalog PLUS free access to all new courses produced (minimum 6 per year) as long as you subscribe 
  • Three "LIVE" university-length courses per year (26-28 lessons each)
  • Access to a Supportive Community of Like-Minded Bible Enthusiasts
  • Exclusive Member-Only Events: Mixers, Live Watch Parties
  • Engage in Challenges, Discussions, and More
  • "Bart Ehrman's Spotlight Series" - Offered exclusively through BSA

*Monthly price is subject to change with notice

FAQ's

What is early-bird pricing?

The current "early bird" price for the course is $49.95.  It will increase to $59.95 on Feb. 16th

What if I can't attend the lectures

If watching Stand-Alone, replays of the lectures will be posted within 3 days of the live recording to our course platform, ThriveCart.  If watching in BSA, the replay will also be available within 3 days of the live recording inside of the community.

How many lectures will Dr. Wright be presenting?

4 lectures on Mar. 1st and 4 lectures on Mar. 15th.  50 minutes each.

Can I join by tablet or mobile phone?

Yes, we will be using Zoom Webinar which allows you to attend by desktop computer, tablet, or cell phone.  

Do I need any special microphone or camera equipment?

The Zoom Webinar conference software only allows the presenters to speak. Attendees are hidden during the lecture recording so you don't need to worry about having a camera or being seen.

How will I join the live recording?

Once you have purchased your course or signed up for BSA, you will receive instructions via email to log on to our online course platform, ThriveCart, or our BSA platform. Once logged in you will find your Zoom link for each day of the live online lectures.  We will also email you with the Zoom link and reminders.  If you're in BSA, you will also get email reminders and event reminders inside the community.

Will subtitles/captions be available?

Zoom has a variety of options for creating closed captioning in webinars you attend, which provides subtitles of the spoken in-meeting communications. This may be used for participants to easily follow the conversations or to meet accessibility requirements. 

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 [email protected] and we will refund 100% of your investment. You will have 30 days from the date of purchase.  We don't offer a BSA refund since we offer a 14-day free trial instead.

Live recording Mar 1st & 15th

11:00 am both days

Virtual Event

Early Bird Expires Feb 15th

Access to the course replay

Listen on all devices