The faculty of ADC have been hard at work writing essays for the next volume of East Coast Theology which will focus on hospitality. In this article, I want to whet your appetite for my essay and the question of how Indigenous understandings of hospitality can illuminate our understanding of the Biblical call to hospitality.

Indigenous peoples historically practiced hospitality in ways that went beyond gestures of kindness — they embodied a worldview where land and community were central. In many Indigenous cultures, hospitality was not transactional; it was a way of life that reflected mutual respect, reciprocity, and an intimate connection with the land and its resources. It was borne out of the belief that we are always receiving care from the Creator and from the land.

Added to this is the Indigenous perspective on materials and property. There was no concept of land ownership — the land and its resources were seen as gifts that were being shared with the individual and their community, and therefore should be shared with all. This approach brings depth to Biblical narratives of hospitality, particularly those emphasizing our role as recipients of God’s generosity through creation and others.

The Biblical creation narrative in Genesis 1 and 2 portrays a world in which humanity is hosted by creation itself. God creates the land, which sustains us, and places humanity in the garden to tend to it (Genesis 2:15). This reflects the idea of being in a reciprocal relationship with the environment — something mirrored in Indigenous hospitality, where the land is viewed not as a resource to be exploited but as a gift to be stewarded. The land takes care of us all.

In the life of Jesus, we also find profound examples of hospitality, not only as something to be given but also received. Jesus’ birth, for instance, is set in a scene where creation welcomes him — he is born in a humble stable among animals, and the angelic host, along with shepherds, acknowledges his arrival (Luke 2:1-20). This aligns with Indigenous perspectives, where hospitality is extended by all elements of creation, human and non-human alike. It is a reminder that hospitality is not just about human actions but also about being welcomed by the world around us.

Furthermore, Indigenous hospitality towards European settlers, particularly in early Canadian history, offers a striking parallel to the hospitality Paul received from the “natives” in Acts 28. In both cases, those seen as “the other” offered life-saving care to strangers. This kind of hospitality challenges us to reconsider the power dynamics inherent in how we approach others, especially those we may marginalize. It highlights the role of receiving hospitality, where mutual respect and humility foster deeper relationships and community building.

Ultimately, Indigenous hospitality invites us to view Biblical hospitality as more than an obligation. It is a holistic practice of receiving and reciprocating, grounded in respect for creation and others, deepening our understanding of being both givers and receivers in God’s world.