Is Early Genesis Mythological?

Within the conservative evangelical wing of the church, there is a very powerful notion that when we abandon a literal view of Genesis 1-11, we abandon historical conservative Christianity. What explains this widely held tenet? And more importantly, is this notion correct?

Stephen Douglas, who authors the blog Undeception, has recently posted this article which explores many of the reasons why a Bible believing, evangelical, Truth-seeking Christian (such as himself) may well come to the conclusion that these early chapters of Genesis were mythological. This view is based on excellent scholarship of the historical and cultural setting of the Ancient Near East. If Stephen's conclusion is correct, then: 

• Moses would have understood the stories he wrote to be myths. 
• The early Hebrews would have understood them to be myths. 
• God, who inspired them, would have understood them to be myths (of course!). 
• And the most orthodox, fundamentally correct view today would be that they are myths! 

Why is this so offensive to our 20th century conservative Christian sensibilities? Why will many of my readers recoil from the use of the word "myth" in the context of the Bible? Stephen suggests possible answers to these and other questions in his article which is well worth reading!