Plus, the notion that Christ went to Hell is not universally agreed upon. It’s funny to imagine Jesus poking Satan in the eyes, but it is a point of contention among Christians.

I think of the “South Park” episode where Jesus and Satan are boxing, and everyone has their money on Satan because he’s so big and buff… all except for one lone bet for Jesus.

Of course, the lone bet was placed by Satan, who rigs the fight by taking a dive.

It’s hard to imagine Jesus doing such a thing, because his image is synonymous with sincerity. Maybe what you are trying to assert is that, contrary to the image modern people have of Christ (doleful, patient, humble), the real Jesus was contentious and interested in stirring up debate, a “rabble-rouser” if you will.

But I think ‘trickster’ isn’t the right cateogrization. Save that for Norse gods like Loki and Native American deities. They worked hard to earn the title.

You may as well say President Bush is a trickster. I can say YOU are a trickster, Tim, but that doesn’t make it true.

I understand the parallel you’re trying to make, but really… isn’t this overkill?

As for Christ’s divinity, I’m assuming your source is The Bible.

Finally, if Tricksterism is about challenging the accepted order of things, where’s the cut-off? Where does Tricksterism end and Mischief begin? And how does Eshu bringing strife to two tribes equate with Christ’s message? Do you even know what Christ’s message is? Do you think Christ was THAT concerned with “tricking” the Pharisees, or do you think he was concerned with alleviating the suffering of poor people and healing cripples?

You may as well say Socrates was a Trickster.

Good, cause he was a trickster, as I’ve written about elsewhere

Jesus was half-human (if you believe that he is the Son of God)

Actually, to be doctrinally correct, Jesus was not half-human. He was both fully human and fully divine. But who’s counting.

I don’t see Jesus as a trickster really–

Good, then that means what he’s doing is working. I wouldn’t expect a bunch of people to agree on the exploits of a master Trickster. If they did, he wouldn’t be a Trickster. As I said above, he wasn’t there to make a bunch of people to agree on everything. “Bringing strife is my greatest joy.”

You asked if any of us really live our lives as completely rational and logically consistent acts? Of course not– because we’re human. Jesus was half-human (if you believe that he is the Son of God) so he was capable of emotion but to say that the godlike other half was of the Trickster variety does a disservice to Christ’s message.

You may as well say Socrates was a Trickster. In many ways he was, but we all know he was a mere mortal, and yet he has more in common with Jesus than, say, Bugs Bunny or Coyote.

There is always a need for humor in life. Humor changes our vibration and helps us heal. That was part of how Jesus and his friends helped heal the crowds, as have other religious leaders through out history. This does not always get documented though. Or , people don’t acknowledge it because religion is supposed to be “serious business” according to the pharisees and other such folks.

As for Jesus being angry…he was a man, living in a human body, experiencing human emotions for starters.

I love the Trickster. I love Jesus cast in this light, and it’s no stretch at all to see him as such. What interests me even more is how to embody the trickster ourselves in everyday life. And hey, right on, I have my next writing topic.

The world needs more pranksters keeping everyone and each other on their physical, psychological and spiritual toes. I’m starting to understand more why I was such a fan of the surrealist and dada artists in art school. They had their shortcomings as a whole, but the good ones were master tricksters.

A final thought before I shut this dastardly computer off. Ask yourself not so much ‘What would Jesus do?’ as ‘What wouldn’t Jesus do?’ Yeah I totally stole that from somewhere, but if the sandal fits, make like a tree and steal that goddamn sandal, then walk a mile in it, or more appropriately, walk two miles in it. Then get naked. (Naked for Jesus).

I’m the queerest young fellow that ever you heard.
My mother’s a Jew, my father’s a bird.
With Joseph the joiner I cannot agree,
So here’s to disciples and Calvary.

If anyone thinks that I amn’t divine
He’ll get no free drinks when I’m making the wine
But have to drink water and wish it were plain
That I make when the wine becomes water again.

Goodbye, now, goodbye! Write down all I said
And tell Tom, Dick and Harry I rose from the dead.
What’s bred in the bone cannot fail me to fly
And Olivet’s breezy … Goodbye, now, goodbye!

(From Ulysses.)

lazy reader, I

Jesus as Trickster Rebel

René Girard makes a very similar argument in a book i read once called “I see satan fall like lightning” that jesus “broke the cycle of memetic violence” by turning the other cheek

guess i oughta remove the beam from my own eye, etc…

Sorry, this comment is confusing. The associations of the Christic figure in this role could (and has) filled books.

Like “Ha ha! My greatest trick was convincing people to take stories about my life literally so that the Roman Empire could find a new ideology to control people with guilt and fear!” I just don’t see that figure, as usually rendered, in any sort of liberating way.

Perhaps this culture has just spoiled Him for me and so I can’t see whats right there?

I dunno. Or maybe I just like the gnostic stories better.

its hard to argue that 700 club jesus leads to gnosis or the recognition of paradox

What I’m saying is that the Jesus at hand doesn’t change, only the clothing they dress him up in and the rationalizations which are built to hedge him in.

I mean i see what your saying i think but if you look at the functions of the different types its hard to argue that 700 club jesus leads to gnosis or the recognition of paradox though it may be a necessary step on the ladder towards that.

The trickster forces us to contemplate paradox and our own endless capacity for self-delusion, the limitations of our own ridiculous reality tunnels, thats what forces people to wake up!

They resent it, but they need it too.

Switching places with Simon of Cyrene right before the crucifixion? LOL!!!!!

You will have power to change yourself into anything, any object you wish when in danger or distress. There are man-eating monsters on the earth who are destroying the people. The tribes cannot increase and grow as I wish. These monsters must all be vanquished before the new people come. This is your work to do. I give you powers to kill these monsters. I have given your twin brother, Fox, power to help you, to restore you to life should you be killed. Your bones may be scattered; but if there is one hair left on your body, Fox can bring you back to life. Now go, despised Coyote! Begin the work laid out for your trail. Do good for the benefit of your people.”

http://members.cox.net/academia/coyote.html