> I wonder what theologians might say about this question.

Imho many theists are very aware of these alternative interpretations, but due to all of them being rather unsettling and potentially existential-dread inducing, they chose the "Welp, I rather go with the God thing, that's less hassle" route.

Nothing wrong with that, we all have a mind of our own that allows us to frame our world view in the way most convenient/understandable to us.

But sadly it seems these difference in world view too often prevent us from agreeing on a consensus about how to go about things or even where to go in the first place.