Biblical Literalism and Biblical Interpretations

I have been reading and following the debate the last several weeks in my local newspaper about biblical literalism and if the Bible is the absolute word of God. I was going to quote some Bible verses to refute some of what other writers have written but after some thought I decided to try this. I agree with my friend Mr. Panko's statement that "the Bible is the word of God as conceived by the scripture writers of the first century, who, being like us, had their own egos, prejudices, personalities, and values projected upon their concept of God, something man has done from the beginning of time and is still doing." Here is why I believe this statement:
The parts of the Old Testament were originally written in Hebrew several thousand years ago in a social and political context far different from the one we have now. It was written when the Hebrews were wandering around in the desert for 40 years. Then the Hebrews arrived in the land of Israel, and a new social and political context was created. Instead of wandering, the Hebrews were now fighting to conquer the land and settle it. Then after many years, the Hebrews were conquered and sent off to Babylon as slaves. A new social and political realty again. The editors and authors then perhaps were using Hebrew, perhaps Babylonian to do their writings. If the editors and authors were using a language different from Hebrew, than they were re-interpreting the word of God. After that, the Hebrews went back to Israel, many years passed and Jesus was born. Now Jesus most likely spoke Aramaic, yet another different language for the word of God. Israel at this time was also under the influence of Rome, a new social and political context. The editors and authors when interpreting the word of God used Aramaic or Latin and put the word of God into their current social and political context. Jesus' dies and the apostles go out and proselytize. Some go to Anatolia and Greece. Some go to Egypt. Peter and Paul go to Rome. Each of these areas is a new social and political context. The authors of the New Testament and the editors of the Old Testament now have to re-interpret the word of God into Greek, Latin, or Coptic. Times passes and there is a Pope in Rome who interprets the Bible for his social and political context. In Germany, Martin Luther does not share this interpretation and the Reformation begins. Soon after the printing press is invented and Bibles begin to be mass-produced. Bibles are interpreted into many different languages in many different social and political contexts. Even amongst these different languages, there are different interpretations of the Bible. I have had a Good News Bible: Today's English Version since I was 8. One writer in a letter to the editor cites examples of God's word from the New International Version. Yet another from the King James Version. I looked up Bibles and found at least 11 different versions of the Bible in English. Another word for version is interpretation. Now, which of these Bibles is the absolute word of God. God first spoke to man in what I assume is Hebrew. Should we all learn Hebrew so we know absolutely what the word of God is? But some of the Old and New Testament was received from God in Aramaic. Should we also learn Aramaic so we know absolutely what the word of God is? But then, some of the New Testament was written in Greek and Latin. I'm beginning to think that it is impossible to know the absolute word of God when there are so many different interpretations of His word out there. It is impossible to know the absolute word of God if you don't speak or read the language the message was originally delivered in, because any other language is just an interpretation of the original. Interpretations are, by their very nature, open to interpretation.
How I view and understand the Bible and God is different from how another person views and understands the Bible and God. How I view and understand God is between God and myself and no one is going to change that.
The Bible is a living and breathing book that needs to change with and be interpreted by the social and political context of the day. The Bible has gone through many interpretations and revisions from the time it was first written. As times change, social contexts change, and political contexts change, the interpretation of the Bible has also changed. And, it will continue to change. If the Bible remains static and the interpretation remains the same, it runs the risk of becoming irrelevant. History is littered with many gods and religions that became irrelevant because they couldn't or wouldn't change to fit new social and political realties.
Unfortunately, the Bible is being co-opted by the president and others, and is being used as an excused to try to write discrimination into the constitution. More people of good conscience, like Mr. Panko, need to stand up and say this is wrong. In our society we need to protect the rights of minorities from the abuses of those in power. Jesus stood up for and was friends with many minorities. He was a friend to women, children, the weak, the lame, lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors. All of who were outside the established order of the time. He taught that the meek shall inherit the earth. He went against the political and social establishment and powers and helped to form a new religious ideal. I believe that ideal has been lost on many people in this country who take the narrow view that homosexuality and gay marriage is something to be banned. This is not what I interpret Jesus to stand for. Jesus stands for love, hope, equality, and compassion. That is my interpretation of the Bible and Jesus.
When judgment day comes and I am standing before the throne of God and He is reviewing my life and how I lived it, I believe fair treatment and compassion for my fellow man will count for more than a rigid and unbending interpretation of the Bible. I believe what I believe and I will interpret and apply things from the Bible that I believe are best for my family and myself. The things I believe and have learned from the Bible are love, hope, equality, and compassion.