The creation story in Genesis 1 has been variously identified as history, science, myth, theology and cult liturgy. We have grown accustomed to seeing this text well-guarded by sharply defined and separate camps - its borders closed to any mediating scouts. In the old model "creationist" war against "evolutionists," "creation science" rams into archaeological research and biblical literalists hold out against historical-critical scholars.

Even within supposedly kindred camps there is suspicion and animosity - as between the "evangelical concordists" (those who seek to harmonize Genesis with modern science) and "evangelical nonconcordists" (those who define Genesis as neither history nor science, and so find no need to try to reconcile all those disciplines).

While the fields of science a…