Central themes

Both Borg and Wright seem to bring a central theme to their work, which they embroider as they go.

• Wright’s basic theme is that Jesus was a first century Jew whose life and death was determined by the current eschatology. Jesus, for him, is consciously fulfilling Old Testament prophecies as interpreted by the later Jewish books, some of which have found their way into the Apocrypha. He believed, says Wright, that the was acting on behalf of Yahweh and he saw his role as restoring the political kingdom of Israel. As such he believed that he was the Messiah. The Resurrection confirmed his belief in himself.
• Borg’s basic theme is that Jesus, the man, was a mystic, meaning someone who live a life that was filled with the Spirit. Borg believes that after the crucifixion, the disciples including Paul experienced a risen Christ. As the early church pondered on their amazing experience, they began to interpret the life and death of the man Jesus in Old Testament terms. They began to see that he was indeed the Messiah, even though he had not recognized himself as such in his lifetime.

Both Borg and Wright end up at the same place regarding Jesus the Christ, Jesus the risen – both acknowledge him in their own lives as Lord. Both believe that Jesus was engaged in a larger struggle than ensuring personal salvation for each of us. Both believe in a spirit world and see the Cross as a victory won in a battle between good and evil. Where they differ is in how much Jesus the man as opposed to Jesus the Christ knew of his destiny. Both agree that Jesus the Christ is victorious.