Embracing the Harmony: Exploring the Complementarity of Faith and Culture in the Context of Luke 10:38-42

Abstract

This study explores the intricate relationship between faith and culture, 
arguing that they are complementary rather than mutually exclusive. 
The narrative in Luke 10: 38-42 reveals how Jesus’ teachings and actions 
embody both spiritual and cultural significance. The study used 
hermeneutics and historical methods to analyze the cultural context of 
hospitality in the Jewish understanding of welcoming guests in their 
homes while highlighting how Jesus’ presence in the home of Martha 
and Mary exemplifies the integration of faith and culture. The work 
revealed that Martha’s hospitality and Mary’s receptivity to Jesus’ 
teachings are not mutually exclusive, rather complementary aspects of 
their faith. The study explores how Jesus’ acceptance of Martha’s 
hospitality and his teaching on the importance of listening to God’s word 
(Luke 10: 38-42) affirm the interconnectedness of faith and culture. This 
study’s findings suggest that faith and culture are not in tension but 
rather enrich each other, leading to a more profound understanding of 
God’s work in the world. The paper concluded that embracing the 
complementary of faith and culture enables believers to live out their 
faith in a more authentic and meaningful way, engaging with their 
cultural context in a manner that honours God. This paper, by exploring 
the complementarity of faith and culture, fosters a deeper understanding 
of how faith can nurture and shape the culture and how, in turn, culture can enrich the faith, thereby leading to a more nuanced and 
compassionate expression of Christian living. This research contributes 
to the ongoing conversation on the interaction of faith and culture, 
encouraging believers to embrace the complementarity of these two 
aspects of human experience.