What is the New Testament? with Biblical Scholar & Archeologist Nate Ramsayer

WEDNESDAY MARCH 19TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM IN THE NORDIC HALL

Which books of the Bible make up the New Testament? How does it differ from the Old Testament? When were these books written? What was the cultural and historical situation of Palestine during the 1st century CE? Join Biblical Scholar and Archeologist Nate Ramsayer for a presentation where he will introduce the character of Jesus, discuss the world in which he was born, and how historians make sense of the myriad stories of his life.  As a part his series this month on the three Abrahamic fatihs, this lecture will be taught from a religiously neutral approach, and is open to people of all faith perspectives, including nonbelievers!

Mr. Ramsayer is a freelance biblical studies instructor. He holds an M.A. degree in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East from Brandeis University. He is also an active archaeologist who has excavated at seven sites around the world, focusing mainly in Israel during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Nate’s scholarly research interests include: biblical composition and manuscript history, ancient Near Eastern myths, and exploring points at which the archaeological record confirms or is at tension with the narrative found in the Bible. He has also worked extensively in the field of the Dead Sea Scrolls, presenting papers, giving lectures, working with museum exhibits, and even researching at the Qumran caves where the scrolls were found.