It really wasn’t until more Medieval times did Christianity become so Literal. An allegorical reading and understanding of the Septuagint was widely known. Even the writes of the letters were speaking to people who knew it allegorically.
So don’t think so quick that Literalism is something old. It’s not. It’s used to kill and rule.
2 Corinthians.
Not of the letter for the letter kills. The spirit gives life