The Reformed Olive Press

Satan: The Judeo-Christian Trickster In modern Christianity, Satan is often portrayed as the ultimate villain—the embodiment of evil, the great adversary of God and humanity. But this image of Satan as a cosmic archvillain is more of a later Christian development than an inherent part of the biblical tradition. In fact, when we look at the ancient Near East and the broader world of mythology, we find that Satan fits quite well into the archetype of the trickster—a figure who disrupts, deceives, challenges authority, and forces others to think or grow. Tricksters in World Mythology Tricksters are a staple of mythology across cultures. They are neither fully good nor entirely evil; rather, they thrive in the gray areas of morality, using wit, deception, and chaos to shake up the status quo. Some famous tricksters include: Loki (Norse mythology) – A shape-shifting, scheming god who both aids and thwarts the other deities. Coyote (Native American traditions) – A misc...

  The Ransom Theory of Atonement and Trickster imagery in the Bible  Atonement is a foundational concept in Christian theology, with various theories explaining how Jesus’ death reconciles humanity to God. One such theory, the Ransom Theory, presents Christ’s death as a payment to liberate humanity from the bondage of sin and death. This framework is deeply rooted in biblical imagery, particularly the themes of captivity, redemption, and the restoration of what was lost. The Bible also contains a recurring motif of theft—the act of taking what does not rightfully belong to someone. In Genesis, Adam and Eve “steal” from God when they eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. By grasping at autonomy and defying divine command, they not only disobey but attempt to seize dominion and wisdom that belong to God alone. Similarly, Satan is portrayed as a thief who not only deceives but robs humanity of its rightful inheritance. By tempting Adam and Eve into sin, he strips t...

 

  Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: The "Super-Apostles" as Opposition One of the most debated passages in Paul's writings is 2 Corinthians 12:7, where he describes his "thorn in the flesh": 2 Corinthians 12:7 English Standard Version 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited." Many interpretations of this passage focus on Paul’s "thorn" as a physical ailment, such as poor eyesight, chronic pain, or another illness. However, a compelling case can be made that Paul's thorn in the flesh was not a sickness but rather the opposition of the so-called "super-apostles" in Corinth—a group of rival teachers who sought to undermine his authority and message. In 2 Corinthians 10–12, Paul defends his ministry against false apostles who boasted in their own strength and credentials. He sarcast...

      The Saints of Revelation 14: The New Jerusalem Descending from the Mountains of Pella  Revelation 14 paints a striking image of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 faithful saints, marked by God and singing a new song. From a full preterist perspective, this passage is not a futuristic prophecy but a depiction of events fulfilled in the first century. The saints here represent the faithful remnant of Israel—those who heeded Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24 and fled to the mountains during the Roman siege of Jerusalem. Many of these early believers took refuge in Pella, escaping the destruction that befell the old Jerusalem. Rather than seeing the New Jerusalem as a physical city descending from the sky, Revelation presents it as the faithful people of God—the saints who emerged from tribulation to become the true dwelling place of God. Just as the old Jerusalem was judged and destroyed, the new covenant community arose, established in Christ and no longer ...

                                  1 Corinthians 12:28 Prooftext for Female Eldership  According to 1 Corinthians 12:28, notice that the Female Prophet (with a covered head) has a higher calling than the Male Pastor role. Yet, if a woman asked her Male Pastor to prophesy Sunday morning at your Church would it be wrong according to scripture? Would you walk out?    1 Corinthians 12:28 New American Standard Bible 28 And God has appointed IN THE CHURCH first apostles,  SECOND PROPHETS , THIRD TEACHERS, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.     1 Corinthians 11:4-5 New American Standard Bible 4 Every man who has something on his head while   praying or PROPHESYING  disgraces his head. 5 But  EVERY WOMAN  who has her head uncovered  while praying or PROPHESYING  disgraces her head, for it is...