Question

What question best describes the Mary and Martha problem?

a) How can we simply sit at Jesus' feet when there is work to be done?
b) How can we get others to help when laborers are so few?
c) How can we do the good works of both Mary and Martha?
d) How can we obtain more faith when circumstances seem hopeless?

Answer 1

The best question that describes the Mary and Martha problem is how to balance the act of contemplation (sitting at Jesus' feet) with the necessity of action (work to be done), which in a modern context translates to the likely experience of 'role conflict' faced by someone juggling multiple responsibilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question "What question best describes the Mary and Martha problem?" refers to a biblical narrative where Mary listens to Jesus teach while Martha is preoccupied with hospitality duties. The best question that reflects this scenario is (a) How can we simply sit at Jesus' feet when there is work to be done?. This question captures the tension between contemplation and action, a theme central to the Mary and Martha story from the New Testament. As it relates to the provided information, the scenario involving Mary working full-time, dealing with childcare issues, church volunteering, and the incoming care of her mother-in-law, would most likely result in role conflict. This term refers to the stress and tension caused by competing demands from various aspects of an individual's life or social roles.