In Whispers of Revolution, renowned biblical scholar Michael Bird forges a path through the tangle of conspiracy theories, older hypotheses, and scholarly debates to propose a compelling idea: The historical Jesus was driven by the conviction that through his words and work, his mission and message, God was unveiling his kingship in a way that would rescue Israel and eventually restore the whole world. This careful and concise scholarly work covers a wide range of topics related to the historical Jesus and his context. Bird studies Jesus in light of archaeology, Judean history, and apocalypticism. He scrutinises sayings of Jesus and stories about Jesus, challenging many scholarly paradigms to offer a portrait of Jesus that avoids both sensationalism and pious simplification. The result is a story of Jesus that puts him firmly in the world of ancient Galilee and Judea and explains how this man, crucified by the Romans, becomes the catalyst for a movement that would defy and then consume the Roman empire. This important contribution will appeal to scholars, students, and all readers looking for a fresh examination of the life of Jesus.

Michael Bird is one of the most versatile thinkers in New Testament studies today, able to straddle multiple disciplines and specialties effectively. Touching on key features of Jesus' ministry, Bird rightly finds a Jesus who fits his early Jewish setting and who sought the renewal of his people, whose commitment to his kingdom mission naturally aroused conrtoversy with others who demurred. His reconstruction fits the best scholarship. * Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary *
Written in a lively and accessible style, Bird's sympathetic portrayal sets Jesus firmly within a first century Jewish messianic context. As the first step towards a fuller theological appraisal of Jesus' significance, the volume will appeal to readers in both the academy and the church. * Helen Bond is Professor of Christian Origins at the University of Edinburgh, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins. *

Michael F. Bird is Academic Dean and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of numerous scholarly and popular books on the New Testament and theology, including The Gospel of the Lord, Paul and the Gospels, Jesus is the Christ, Evangelical Theology, An Anomalous Jew: Paul among Jews, Greeks, and Romans and .Jesus the Eternal Son: Answering Adoptionist Christology.