Others, in reaction, reject the Bible outright because they think it requires a patriarchal God and dominating husbands. We think the problem can be solved with a little effort at fresh exegesis. In this and all other difficult social situations we come to the Bible with our questions and, by struggling with the text, find directions of hope and love to guide us. Shifting Models Christians have to test the models they use for understanding various aspects of biblical revelation. Even if we are equally committed to the Bible as the Word of God, we may differ sometimes as to what model to adopt.
Denominations use different models to explain their application of Scripture.
Because of the text's complexity, it is hard to read the Bible without any model whatsoever. But models can be compared and allowed to interact with one another. One model can be set over against another to see which is most helpful. We experience a shift of model when someone presents us with metaphors that are different from the ones we are used to. The challenge may come not in an intellectual form but in unsuspected ways.