That’s exactly how many of us feel when we read the creation account in the book of Genesis. At first, it seems so awe-inspiring: God created the world—He spoke, and suddenly there was light, land, plants, animals, and even us human beings made in the image of God. But then we catch a detail that makes us pause: Why does light appear before the sun and moon? Are we dealing with a poetic structure, or is this a straightforward statement of fact? And then questions about evolution, dinosaurs, billions of years, and scientific understanding of the universe tend to creep in. The more we think about it, the more we wonder: “Wait, is the creation story just a poem? Or is it real history?”

At Educate For Life, we regularly hear these questions—and they matter a lot. Why? Because if Genesis 1 and 2 are merely symbolic, then what about everything else the Bible teaches—sin, salvation, our need for a Savior, the resurrection of the dead? If the first few pages of the Bible are “off,” do we need to straighten our entire understanding of Scripture? Is our “frame crooked” without realizing it?

This article takes an in-depth, friendly, and honest look at one particular claim: that the days of genesis fit into what’s called the “framework hypothesis.” That theory contends the six days of creation are mainly metaphorical—a literary device for describing God’s power, rather than an actual timeline. Using insights from theologians like Dr. Wayne Grudem (plus our own experience at Educate For Life), we’ll explore whether the evidence truly supports the view that Genesis 1 is “just poetry” or if there’s more going on. Ultimately, we’ll see how this all connects to our Christian faith—because at the end of the day, the Bible’s creation story is about who God is, who we are, and where we fit in His design.

So, grab your cup of coffee (or tea!), settle in, and let’s dig deeper into the question: “Is the creation account just a poem, or can we hang it on the wall of our faith with confidence?”

Why the Creation Story Matters to Our Faith

You might be thinking: “Why not just say it’s poetic and move on?” That’s a fair question. But the way we interpret the opening pages of Genesis actually ripples through the entire Christian worldview. Here’s how:

1. Foundations of Our Beliefs
   In the book of Genesis, we see how God created everything—the whole universe, including human life. When we say God formed us in the image of God, we’re saying people have inherent dignity and worth. That belief doesn’t just appear somewhere in the middle of the Bible; it’s introduced right here at the start, in Genesis. If the creation story is metaphorical only, it raises questions about whether our “image of God” status is also just a metaphor.
2. Connecting Creation to Christ
   The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t stand in a vacuum. It’s part of the overall narrative: God creates, humans sin, Jesus redeems, and finally, God renews all things. If we weaken the foundation—like claiming there wasn’t actually a historical Adam and Eve—then the plan of salvation can seem less concrete. It all ties back to whether we believe the creation of the world is historical fact or just a poetic structure.
3. Addressing Skeptics
   People often question the Bible, saying, “Modern science proves the Earth is billions of years old, so the idea of earth in six days is just a legend.” At Educate For Life, we believe faith and reason aren’t enemies. The more we understand the text, the more we see that Scripture and true scientific discovery can actually complement each other. But if we prematurely label Genesis as “just poetry,” we might dismiss some exciting ways the biblical creation week can align with deeper truths of existence.
4. Shaping Our Sense of Purpose
   If God created humans intentionally—rather than by accident—then your life and mine have deep purpose. We see ourselves as meaningfully made in the image of a loving Creator, not as random cosmic accidents. The difference is huge when it comes to self-worth, morality, and hope.

That’s why we can’t simply throw up our hands and say, “It’s just a poem.” The stakes are too high. Now, let’s look at the framework hypothesis, which is one of the main reasons people might think the creation story is purely symbolic.

What Is the “Framework Hypothesis?”

A Literary Device, or Something More?

The framework hypothesis (also called the “literary framework view”) has a simple premise: The writer of Genesis 1 wasn’t trying to describe a real sequence of events; rather, it’s a poetic structure that arranges creation into two sets of three days:

• Days 1–3: Forming the basic spaces (light/dark, sky/sea, land/plants).
• Days 4–6: Filling those spaces (sun/moon, fish/birds, land animals/humans).

Then the big finish: the seventh day, or the sabbath, where God rests. To people who support this hypothesis, it’s all about theology: We’re learning that God is the sovereign King over creation, but the text isn’t concerned with literal chronology. It’s like an ancient poem or psalm praising the Creator, not a journalistic timeline.

Why People Like This View

Some Christians find the framework hypothesis appealing because they see it as bridging Scripture and scientific understanding—especially claims about billions of years of cosmic history. If Genesis 1 is purely a metaphorical or symbolic piece, then there’s no tension with modern science, right? Under this theory, the “days of Genesis” could represent long epochs, or simply a thematic way to show order, rather than 24-hour periods.

The Core Problem

But critics point out a logical gap: Just because a passage is artfully written doesn’t mean it’s not describing real events. Poetry can celebrate factual history without turning into pure myth. For instance, the epic poems of history recount real battles or real heroes, wrapped in captivating language. Couldn’t Genesis be doing the same—writing in a grand style while still providing an accurate record?

 

Dr. Wayne Grudem’s Friendly Challenge

Dr. Wayne Grudem, a theologian known for his extensive work (Systematic Theology), offers a gracious-yet-critical look at the framework hypothesis. While Grudem agrees there are interesting parallels between the first three days and the second three days in Genesis 1, he also points out that these parallels aren’t as perfectly aligned as they appear on the surface. Let’s check out what he means:

Day 1 vs. Day 4

• Day 1: God speaks light into existence and separates it from darkness.
• Day 4: God creates the sun and moon to govern day and night.

Sure, on the face of it, day 4 “fills” day 1’s creation by assigning the sun and moon to handle light and darkness. But here’s the snag: The text repeatedly says God places the sun, moon, and stars in the firmament, which isn’t made on day 1. It’s specifically created on day two, where God separates the waters above from the waters below (the “sky” or “expanse”). So, is day 4 building on day 1 or day 2? Grudem suggests day 4 might align more closely with day 2. That’s hardly neat “one-to-one” symmetry between days 1 and 4. It’s kind of like you thought the frame matched the wall color—only to realize it might match the curtains better.

Day 2 vs. Day 5

• Day 2: Separation of waters, forming the sky above and ocean below.
• Day 5: Creation of birds to fill the sky, fish to fill the seas.

At first glance, that pairing is almost too perfect—what better way to fill the sky and seas than with birds and fish, right? Except, the text mentions that God tells these creatures to occupy “seas,” and yet the waters aren’t gathered into seas until day three, when dry land emerges. Also, birds are instructed to dwell in the firmament yet nest or interact with the land and plants—again from day 3. So, day 5’s inhabitants overlap with day 3’s setting, not strictly day 2. That’s another example of “so close, yet not quite.”

Day 3 vs. Day 6

• Day 3: Dry land appears, plants flourish, and waters gather.
• Day 6: Land animals and humans made in the image of God appear, presumably eating the plants from day 3.

This, to be fair, seems like the strongest match-up. You make the land, then you populate it with land creatures. But here, too, we see partial overlap. Day 3 references gathering the waters into seas, and day 6 doesn’t talk about fish at all; the fish were from day 5. So if day 3 covers both land and seas, day 6 focuses solely on land animals and humankind. Again, the lines aren’t as crisp as the framework hypothesis suggests.

A Closer Look at Poetic vs. Literal

Some folks argue, “Okay, so maybe the parallels aren’t perfect. Still, you can’t ignore the strong poetic structure in Genesis 1—doesn’t that make it symbolic?” Let’s consider a couple of points:

1. Poetry Doesn’t Cancel History
   Many biblical passages that record historical events include poetic or stylized elements. The story of the Exodus, for instance, is recounted in both narrative form and in the celebratory Song of Moses (Exodus 15). Nobody claims the Exodus never happened just because it has a poetic structure in places.
2. Literal Language in the Text
   The repeated phrases “there was evening, and there was morning” sure sound like an actual passage of time. Genesis also transitions seamlessly to genealogies, historically locating Adam, Eve, and their descendants in real life spans and events. If it’s purely a creation myth, the rest of Genesis sure treats it otherwise.
3. Sabbath Connection
   Why is the sabbath mandated based on God’s creation in six days if it’s not describing any form of real chronology (Exodus 20:11)? Would God ask His people to rest one day out of seven by appealing to something that never actually happened in a seven-day cycle?

It seems that while Genesis 1 is undeniably majestic and even rhythmic in style, it doesn’t have to be an either/or: it can be both poetic and historically meaningful.

Is the “Crooked Frame” Just About Interpretation?

At Educate For Life, we often see that the “crooked frame” feeling arises when people realize that if Genesis 1 is literal, they have to wrestle with big questions: “What about dinosaurs and fossils? What about carbon dating that suggests billions of years? Are we ignoring science if we take Genesis literally?” Conversely, if they decide it’s figurative, they might wonder if they’re undermining the trustworthiness of Scripture or the biblical foundation for morality and salvation.

It’s no wonder people feel torn! But the good news is, you’re not alone in these questions, and Christianity has a long history of exploring them. Whether you tilt more toward a “young Earth” perspective (believing the Earth was formed in six literal days only a few thousand years ago) or you consider ways the text might allow for an older universe, the essential truth remains: “god created everything” with intention and love.

Genesis Creation and Modern Science

Can a Literal Genesis Fit with Billions of Years?

Even among conservative Christians who accept a “literal” reading, some propose ideas like the Day-Age theory (where each “day” in Genesis could be a long era) or the Gap Theory (a gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2). Others stick strictly to six 24-hour days, suggesting God can create a universe that appears “mature” from the moment He speaks it into being—similar to how Adam was formed as an adult, not an infant.

Meanwhile, mainstream science indeed proposes billions of years for cosmic and geological development. Is there tension? Sure—sometimes there is. But tension doesn’t necessarily mean contradiction. It can be an invitation to dig deeper into what Scripture actually says and what science can confidently prove (versus where it’s theorizing). As Christians, we hold that God can work outside normal processes if He chooses, and that scientific understanding can change over time as new data emerges.

Encouraging Real Inquiry

Some folks worry that believing God created the Earth in six days means burying your head in the sand when it comes to paleontology or physics. Not at all! At Educate For Life, we think asking questions, studying the evidence, and sharpening our minds is healthy. Faith and intelligence aren’t at odds. In fact, Scripture itself repeatedly invites us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).

So if you’re passionate about geology or astronomy, keep studying! Just remember that biblical faith in a personal Creator (who made “heaven and earth” and is intimately involved in our lives) doesn’t have to cave in at the first mention of billions of years or scientific understanding. Our perspective is that Scripture offers the big, unshakable truths—like God created humans in His image—and science explores the details of how the world operates. True knowledge ultimately converges in God’s reality.

The Heart of the Matter: Connecting Creation to Christ

Beyond debates on timelines or poetic devices lies the heartbeat of the Bible: God’s plan for humanity. Genesis creation sets the stage for everything else that follows. Here’s why it’s so central:

1. Establishing God’s Authority
   From the start, God is shown as the sole, sovereign Creator. He’s not part of the universe, nor did He evolve within it—He’s above and beyond it. That’s a radical idea among ancient cultures teeming with myths of warring gods. Genesis reveals a singular, all-powerful God who speaks and matters.
2. Introducing Human Uniqueness
   “Let us make man in our image of god.” That’s an astonishing statement. It means we aren’t just smart animals—we have spiritual, moral, and intellectual qualities that set us apart. How we treat one another, how we worship, how we view morality, and how we wrestle with issues of life and death all trace back to this truth.
3. Foreshadowing Redemption
   The rest of Scripture, from Genesis 3 onward, reveals that humanity rebels and sin enters the world. The solution is Christ. If we diminish Genesis as mere fable or “creation myth,” the logic connecting Adam’s sin to Jesus’ redemption can get fuzzy. But if the act of creation is real, and the fall is real, then Jesus’ saving work is the ultimate resolution to a real problem.
4. Hope for the Future
   The Bible doesn’t end with the Gospels; it culminates in Revelation, promising a new heaven and new earth. God’s power to create once is a preview of His power to re-create. Without a strong anchor in the original creation event, the hope of future restoration loses some of its force.

Common Objections and Thoughtful Responses

Below are a few questions we hear a lot—and some friendly responses.

“How could there be light on Day 1 if the Sun came on Day 4?”

Biblically speaking, God is not limited by the presence of the sun to make light. He created everything, so providing light before the sun is hardly a stretch for Him. From a scientific angle, some note that cosmic light could exist independently of the formation of our specific star. The text underscores God’s sovereignty—He’s not beholden to the sun for light.

“Aren’t there two different creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2?”

They’re complementary. Genesis 1 is a broad overview: “God created the heavens and the earth,” followed by the six days plus the seventh day. Genesis 2 zooms in on humanity’s formation, the Garden of Eden, and the first marriage. Instead of clashing, they’re focusing on different angles—kind of like two camera shots in one film.

“Isn’t the creation account just like other ancient creation myth stories?”

Many ancient cultures do have creation myths, often featuring violent gods battling each other, or cosmic eggs, or some chaotic creature. Genesis is starkly different: There’s one God, He speaks calmly, and everything is orderly. There’s no cosmic warfare. It’s a wholly unique narrative in the ancient world, emphasizing the goodness and holiness of one Creator God.

“Does literally believing Genesis 1 hamper evangelism in a scientific era?”

Not necessarily. True evangelism is about pointing people to the reality of Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection. The creation account is certainly part of the bigger conversation, but loving people well, listening to their questions, and showing them how reason and faith can coexist is crucial. We can humbly acknowledge what science observes while also standing on the truth that “god created everything.”

Practical Takeaways for Everyday Believers

1. Stay Curious: Don’t fear questions about the Bible’s accuracy or how it aligns with science. Dig in. Ask. Read. Research. Faith does not require intellectual stagnation—quite the opposite.
2. Celebrate the Wonder: Whether you think the universe is young or old, stand in awe of the fact that God created life in all its complexity and beauty.
3. Hold Fast to Key Doctrine: While there can be respectful disagreement among Christians over the age of the Earth or specifics of the “days,” remember we unify around Jesus Christ as Redeemer, the reality of sin, and the authority of God’s Word.
4. Guard Against Over-Interpretation: Just because something is “poetic” doesn’t mean it’s only “symbolic.” Scripture is full of poetry describing actual events.
5. Connect Creation with Compassion: Realizing we are made in the image of a loving Creator changes how we see ourselves and others. This shapes ethics—caring for the vulnerable, pursuing justice, and loving our neighbors.

Considering the Sabbath and a Crooked Frame

One major reason many theologians (like Grudem) believe in a more literal reading is the commandment about the sabbath. Exodus 20:11 states that Israel should rest one day a week because God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. If God’s “days” are purely figurative or represent eons, the logic behind setting aside a literal 24-hour day each week seems odd. Observing the Sabbath is meaningful because it mirrors God’s creative rhythm—another clue that these days of Genesis aren’t just an allegory.

If we treat the creation story only as poetic imagery, we might start shifting other critical doctrines around, too. This is what we mean by a “crooked frame.” Each time we read Scripture, we’d have to ask, “Okay, what else isn’t meant to be taken at face value?” Eventually, the entire picture could get skewed.

Humanizing the “Tension” of Interpretation

We understand it’s not always cut-and-dried. Some believers are totally at peace with a symbolic reading that doesn’t weaken their love for God or commitment to the rest of Scripture. Others worry that once we loosen the interpretation of Genesis, everything else is at risk.

Rather than flinging accusations, let’s approach each other—and the text itself—with grace and humility. We at Educate For Life do hold a high view of biblical inerrancy. We believe the creation stories aren’t mere myths. Still, we respect that genuine Christians can land on different specifics about timing or how to reconcile certain passages with scientific understanding. Our bigger goal is to support people in trusting the gospel of Jesus Christ—that He lived, died, rose again, and is ultimately the same God who spoke the universe into existence.

Why This Conversation Matters for You

Even if you’re not a scientist or theologian, how you interpret Genesis can shape your day-to-day faith. Consider:

• Devotional Life: Believing that God really said, “Let there be light,” and it happened can fuel your trust that when God speaks promises to you (about comfort, provision, or eternal life), He’ll deliver.
• Evangelism: Conversations about the origins of the universe can be amazing opportunities to share how faith and reason coexist in Christianity. People may be intrigued to learn that the Bible’s creation of the world is not some random fairy tale but a carefully structured narrative that has withstood centuries of scrutiny.
• Moral Framework: If we’re simply advanced animals, ethics might rest on cultural norms or survival instincts. But if “god created humans” with purpose, morality has a transcendent anchor.
• Personal Identity: We see ourselves as cherished creations, made in the image of God, not cosmic accidents. That sense of worth can radically shift how we pursue our goals, treat our neighbors, or handle adversity.

Wrapping Up (And Straightening the Frame)

So, do we have to choose between artful poetry and literal truth? Perhaps the text of Genesis 1 invites us to experience both. It’s undeniably grand, repetitive, almost hymn-like in its praise: “And God said… and it was so… and God saw that it was good.” That doesn’t mean it’s just a poetic structure. You can celebrate its literary beauty and also recognize it as a record of six days in which god created life—from light and darkness on day 1 to humankind on day 6—capped off by a seventh day of rest.

The framework hypothesis tries to sideline the chronology, claiming “the parallels prove it’s all figurative.” But as we’ve seen, these parallels can get messy—“overlaps at least as much,” “points of imprecise correspondence,” and day 4 aligning with day 2 as much as day 1. All that complexity suggests the author of Genesis wasn’t just grouping everything into tidy poetic blocks. Moreover, parts of the Bible (like Exodus 20:11, Mark 10:6, and 2 Peter) treat the creation account as a real event that shapes our spiritual lives today.

When we keep our “frame” straight—meaning we treat Scripture as divinely inspired, historically grounded, and theologically rich—we’re better able to see the full picture of God’s Word. That involves asking big questions, sure, but it also means letting Genesis be what it claims to be: a revelation from God about how He brought the universe into being, culminating in us, made in the image of our Creator.

Final Word: Reach Out to Educate For Life

We get it—this conversation can be daunting. You might feel tension between trusting Scripture and wanting to stay open to scientific insights. You might worry about sounding “anti-intellectual” if you believe in a six-day creation, or you might fear “compromising Scripture” if you don’t. Wherever you land, remember that God’s truth is big enough to handle your questions.

At Educate For Life, we’re here to walk with you through this journey. We believe the Bible is trustworthy from its very first words—“In the beginning…”—all the way to the end. Exploring the interpretation of the genesis creation in a thoughtful, respectful way can deepen your faith and equip you to answer others who might be curious or skeptical.

You don’t have to wrestle with these questions alone. If you want to chat more, find resources, or simply talk through your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Educate For Life. We’d love to help you straighten out any “crooked frames” in your understanding, so you can stand firm in a faith that’s both intellectually solid and spiritually vibrant.

Thanks for reading, and God bless!

References: 

1 A few quick answers: the first two chapters do not contain two separate creation stories, but a general overview of creation followed by a more detailed look at the creation of man.  A God who can speak a universe into existence can surely provide light in the absence of a star (both of which He invented).  The scientific “proofs” for the origin of the universe/earth involve much extrapolation from, and subjective interpretation of, the data and cannot even in principle give a final word on the matter. Try looking at creation.com for more on these topics.

2 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, InterVarsity Press (Great Britain) and Zondervan Publishing House (Grand Rapids, MI), 2000, p. 300

3 Two common examples of this are Exodus 20:11 and Mark 10:6

4 See http://www.ps.edu/about-us/faculty-staff-board/resident-faculty/wayne-a-grudem/

5Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, InterVarsity Press (Great Britain) and Zondervan Publishing House (Grand Rapids, MI), 2000, p. 302

6Ibid., p. 302

7Ibid., p. 302

8Ibid., p. 302