Why Hermeneutics Needs Intercultural Studies

I am of the opinion that good theological education needs intercultural studies. I was reminded of this when one of my esteemed colleagues gave a Christmas devotional in which he referred to the “inn” of Jesus’ birth as “probably being a guest room in the home of a relative.” The reason is because the word ‘KATALUMA’ in Luke 2:7 can mean (1) ‘inn’ such as a lodging place, or (2) a ‘guest-room’ attached to a home. My point is that an understanding of Middle East culture would never allow a relative (especially one about to deliver a baby at any moment) to be relegated to a stable for a delivery room. It would be unthinkable if you see it through their cultural eyes, because family is valued above personal good. So I would say that the possibility of the ‘KATALUMA’ being in the home of a relative is nigh impossible. The relative would sleep on the floor, even in the stable, in order to provide for Mary who was about to deliver.
Another example would be Mark 3:31 where Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived at a home where a crowd had gathered to hear Jesus. They had come to “take charge of him” because they had heard people saying that “He is out of his mind.” Why did they send someone else into the house to get him rather than go in themselves? If you see it from the cultural perspective of not wanting to shame him and desiring to speak to him in private then you can better understand the account.
So then, hermeneutics should look at the possible interpretations but cultural understanding gives perspective to the interpretation and even shapes the interpretation.