Is God Altruistic? Is God Happy?

[Belacqua]

You could read what St. Augustine had to say about why the OT shouldn't be taken literally. Most theologians interpret the Bible with a 4-level hermeneutical system, with a literal reading being the lowest. 

We should also keep in mind that when theologians talk about a "literal" reading, it may be different than the way we usually use the term.

This is from Wikipedia:


So for example, in this sense, a literal reading would identify if a given section is a parable, and interpret it in that way.

I get it. Only the really smart people (typically with and agenda or motive) should be able to read the bible and then tell us what it means. gods own personal spin doctors. 

Guess Gutenberg didn't do anyone any favors.

Generally it's good to get smart people's opinions when reading any book, I guess. 

Gutenberg (and even more, Aldus Manutius) did a wonderful service for the world.