There is much truth in what you say. My problem w/ W's statement is that athiests and others will use it to discount the entire Bible.
In my view the Sacred Word of God is written on many levels, ie dimensions. Things that make no sense to us in our normal daily lives are absolutely true in higher plains of understanding.
Just as the work of Einstein would be incomprehensible to the average citizen of ancient Rome, so too the word of God is often above common interpretations even as it instructs and guides us. The miracle of the Sacred Word, indeed what makes it Sacred, is that it works on every level.
It is true in 360 degrees x 360 degrees. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, ever written by men is as true as Scripture. And anyone that disparages it, regardless of intent, is a fool.
Unfortunately, that includes W.
I doubt thats what W meant. The common literal interpretation of the Bible in some Christian sects does not, in fact, have any idea of multi-dimensionality, not does it acknowledge that there is a probable gulf of understanding. Thats what St. Augustine was getting at.
Bush was addressing the idea of a literal reading in its common and very crude sense. In this his opinion is very conventional.
Very well put. You are very wise.