7.140: Is anyone at God’s left hand?

Dive into the meaning and symbolism of the right and left hands in both cultural and biblical contexts, with perspectives from scripture, Martin Luther, and Midrash teachings.

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In this episode of the Enter the Bible podcast, hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston are joined by Kristofer Phan Coffman, Assistant Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, to explore the question: Does anyone sit at God’s left hand?

Together, they examine the biblical and cultural symbolism of the right and left hands, with insights from figures like Martin Luther and the Midrash. Discover how these seating positions convey power and presence in scripture.

Original question submitted by an Enter the Bible listener:

Does Scripture mention anyone sitting at the left hand of the Father, or is this position reserved solely for Jesus at the right hand?

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Kristofer Phan Coffman

Kristofer Phan Coffman is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary. He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Religion and Cultures at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Kristofer is, to the best of his knowledge, the first Cambodian to receive a doctoral degree in any aspect of biblical studies or the study of the ancient world. He brings his own experience as a first generation Cambodian-American to his readings of the biblical text in an effort to help readers reframe their reading of ancient texts as a cross-cultural interaction, hoping to build skills both for the reading of the biblical text as well as the modern task of relating to people from cultures different than their own.

In addition to his work in the New Testament, Kristofer writes on food, farming and sustainability for the Preserve Journal, an independent print publication dedicated to the exploration of a more sustainable, resilient and responsible food culture. He has also worked as a translator and translation consultant for chefs in both Denmark and Cambodia.

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Kathryn M. Schifferdecker

Kathryn M Schifferdecker came to Luther Seminary as an assistant professor of Old Testament in 2006. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2001, Schifferdecker was associate pastor for five years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisc., before coming to Luther. Schifferdecker is a frequent contributor to workingpreacher.org, Word & World and the author of Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job (Harvard University Press, 2008). She is currently writing a commentary on the book of Esther.

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Katie Langston

Katie Langston is a doubter by nature and a believer by grace. She grew up Mormon in a small Utah town and still isn't sure she fits in anywhere sophisticated enough to have a Target. She's the author of Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace, an acclaimed spiritual memoir about her conversion to orthodox Christianity. Katie works as the director of digital strategy for Luther Seminary's innovation team, where she oversees digital projects aimed at cultivating vibrant Christian spirituality in a post-modern, post-Christian cultural context.

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