This controversial new book argues that Jesus, like many of his later followers, proclaimed that God was soon to intervene in human affairs and bring all of history to a screeching halt. Through a careful evaluation of the New Testament Gospels and other surviving sources, including the more recently discovered Gospels of Thomas and Peter, Ehrman shows why Jesus should be understood as an apocalyptic prophet who anticipated the destruction of evil, the end of the age, and beginning of a new world - not 2000 years after his lifetime, but in less than 30.

"this is a stimulating and worthwhile book that will not always convince but should serve to convey the excitement of New Testament studies to all to read it." - Bishop Paul Richardson, The Church of England Newspaper, Aug. 18th 2000.

"this is a very readable book ... Ehrman ... does succeed in drawing attention to important points that are often overlooked." - Bishop Paul Richardson, The Church of England Newspaper, Aug. 18th 2000.