Second, the difference between a sacred text and other texts is very simple. A sacred text commands obedience. An ordinary text must stand or fall on its own merits, but a sacred text is never thought capable of error.

You are wrong. The words “Sacred” and “Holy” are not synonymous with “obey” and for good reason. Holy means set aside for God. Sacred is similar.

A sacred text demands our respect, to be taken seriously.

However, I think Brandon has a better dissection than I might provide.

It is tempting to claim that a literal interpretation is somehow the most ‘natural’, or the ‘default’ option. But I think this is simply because it comes most easily to us literal-minded folk……