Question about Biblical Literalism

[jds22]

I was listening to a podcast the other day but I can't remember which one. It might have been the debate between Steve Gregg and Tom Bertoli. Anyways somebody said, and I'm paraphrasing here, that biblical literalism is primarily a 20th century US invention.

My questions are, is that true and if so where can I read more about it?

Thanks,
Jerry

[steve]

If that comment was made in a debate between Tommy and myself, it would have been I who made it. Tommy would not. However, I don't think I would say just that either. I would be more inclined to say that Dispensationalism—with its emphasis on its unique kind of "literalism"—was a product of the nineteeth century.

I might have said that this kind of literalism has characterized, primarily, the 20th-century American brand of evangelicalism.

[jds22]

If that comment was made in a debate between Tommy and myself, it would have been I who made it. Tommy would not. However, I don't think I would say just that either. I would be more inclined to say that Dispensationalism—with its emphasis on its unique kind of "literalism"—was a product of the nineteeth century.

I might have said that this kind of literalism has characterized, primarily, the 20th-century American brand of evangelicalism.

Ah, I do believe that was it.

Thanks and btw, that was a great debate.

Jerry