ReligionForBreakfast

Our class “Learning Coptic Through the Gospel of Thomas: Level 2” is starting soon on Jan 5. You can still grab a bundle that gives you access to Level 1 + Level 2, plus a 1-year membership to The Religion Department: www.religiondepartment.com/offers/SP2LFSoN/checkou…


“Learning Coptic Through the Gospel of Thomas” is designed to introduce students to Sahidic Coptic, the most important dialect for the study of early Christian texts preserved in Egypt, including the Nag Hammadi codices.


This course teaches the language directly through close reading of the Gospel of Thomas, one of the most famous and intriguing early Christian texts discovered at Nag Hammadi. Students learn grammar, syntax, and vocabulary while working with real primary sources from the very beginning.


The course is taught by Dr. Lydia Bremer-McCollum, a Harvard-trained scholar with over a decade of experience teaching and translating Coptic at the university level. Classes are live, interactive, and designed for motivated non-specialists as well as students preparing for more advanced academic work.


Important note: Level 1 has already finished the live sessions, but with this bundle you’ll get full access to all recorded lectures, so you can work through it before Level 2 begins on January 5!

6 hours ago | [YT] | 225

ReligionForBreakfast

A few months ago, I led an incredible group of curious, history-loving folks through ancient sites all over western Turkey. And…I’m doing it again in May 2026!

I’m thrilled to announce the next Archaeology of Early Christianity tour in Turkey. We’ll walk the streets of Ephesus, visit ancient churches, synagogues, and temples, and nerd out about ancient religion together.

Spots are limited →
www.wetravel.com/trips/ancient-ephesus-with-religi…


The itinerary is based on the academic study tour I did during my PhD—so expect engaging history, stunning archaeology, and plenty of excellent Turkish food. We’ll visit places like Priene, Miletus, Didyma, Laodicea, Sardis, Pergamon, and spend a full day in Ephesus.

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3 days ago | [YT] | 2,159

ReligionForBreakfast

What happened to the “Lost Tribes of Israel”? Were they ever a historical group to begin with? Dr. Andrew Tobolowsky, who wrote the definitive book on the subject, is joining The Religion Department for a live lecture in just two days. Register here www.religiondepartment.com/offers/txFFRzLX/checkou…

I’ll be there hosting the Q&A. Come hang out, say hi, and nerd out with us about ancient Israelite history.

6 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 558

ReligionForBreakfast

Learn about how the Amish took Wisconsin to the Supreme Court—and won. Join us TODAY at 2:30–3:45pm EST as scholar Jacob Barrett unpacks Wisconsin v. Yoder. Register: www.religiondepartment.com/offers/8NZYiaNF/checkou…

This was a landmark case where Amish parents argued that high school threatened their children’s salvation, and the state insisted on compulsory education. A decision that still shapes debates about education, religion, book bans, and parental rights to this day.

1 week ago | [YT] | 435

ReligionForBreakfast

Last week I had the opportunity to speak at George Mason University in Virginia. Had a blast taking over a few classes and giving a lecture on magic in the ancient world. Shoutout to the incredibly dynamic religious studies department there and especially to the smart students of the Society for the Study of Religion.

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1 week ago | [YT] | 4,044

ReligionForBreakfast

The Religion Department’s Black Friday sale is live! Study religion with world-class scholars and an ever-growing course catalog. Get 25% off annual memberships with code BF25 at: religiondepartment.com/membership

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 357

ReligionForBreakfast

Ran into a few familiar faces at the Society of Biblical Literature conference in Boston. Always a blast talking shop with Dan McClellan, Josh Bowen, and Kipp Davis. If you don't already, follow them here:‪@maklelan‬, ‪@DigitalHammurabi‬, ‪@DrKippDavis‬ .

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 2,669

ReligionForBreakfast

What happened to the Lost Tribes of Israel? A while ago, I made a video about Dr. Andrew Tobolowsky’s book "The Myth of the Twelve Tribes of Israel." Now he’s joining The Religion Department for a live talk that dives even deeper. Register: www.religiondepartment.com/offers/txFFRzLX/checkou…

Hope to see many of you there! It’s a great opportunity for deeper engagement and live Q&A with Tobolowsky himself! He’ll tackle questions like:

Why did ancient writers imagine Israel as twelve tribes?

What happened to the so-called “lost ten?”

And why have cultures across the world, from Ethiopia to India to early America, claimed descent from them?

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 546

ReligionForBreakfast

My recent video on fantasy-world religion tropes vs. real-world religion sparked a ton of discussion, and honestly, some of the best comments I’ve seen in a while. A bunch of you pointed out a few fantasy-world religions that actually nail it…ones that feel lived-in, believable, and culturally deep. So I’m thinking this topic deserves a sequel. What are some examples of fictional religions that do it right? Books, movies, games, whatever.

1 month ago | [YT] | 1,801

ReligionForBreakfast

Our Intro to Coptic course is back! Learn the final stage of the ancient Egyptian language, reading from the Gospel of Thomas with Harvard-trained scholar Dr. Lydia Bremer-McCollum. Starts THIS WEEK: www.religiondepartment.com/coptic

Level 1: Oct 27–Dec 15 (Beginner-friendly!)
Level 2: Starts Jan 5 (For returning students)
Live classes + recordings + discussion forum

Members of The Religion Department get 50% off all seminars. Join & take Level 1 for $199 total.

1 month ago | [YT] | 668