[This is a condensation of an article by the same title published in Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 45, pp. 150-160 (1993).] The creation-evolution debate has sapped vital energy from the Christian community. Instead of building the kingdom of God, it has, I believe, been both destructive to the unity of the body of Christ and a distraction from its God-given mission. That mission is to live as God's image bearers, exercising stewardship over His creation, and proclaiming His message of reconciliation to the world. In the debate over the proper understanding of the Genesis account, most attention has...