Several days ago we watched the debate between Bill Nye the Science Guy and Ken Ham on debatelive.org. The subject of the debate was, “Is creation a viable model of origins in today’s modern, scientific era?” Many Christians prayed for Ken Ham, and he did an excellent job. Bill Nye was a great debater, but Ken Ham had a Weapon that was (and is) much more powerful than any argument or evidence Bill Nye could present. That Weapon is the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Ken Ham laid his foundation in the word of God and built his scientific principles upon that foundation. “47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” (Luke 6:47,48) Ken Ham admitted unashamedly that he built his beliefs on the word of God.
When asked what the basis for his beliefs was, Bill Nye said, “Science.” He said that he loved the joy of discovery and that it gave him great joy to make new scientific discoveries. Basically, Mr. Nye bases his beliefs on knowledge. He is a very intelligent man and knows a lot. Bill Nye can gain all the knowledge in the world; but, when he comes to die, what will this knowledge do for him? “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) Mr. Nye’s foundation can be shaken because it is not solid. “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:49) Bill Nye has no hope in the end.
Ken Ham, on the other hand, has a foundation for today and a hope for eternity because he believes in the word of God. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
Bill Nye was asked how he knows the age of the earth. His answer was, “By the age of the stars.” Yet, he knows not the age of the stars. He could only guess by going by how many light years away they are.
Ken Ham admitted that there is no possible way to truly know the age of the earth, but he is able to estimate it based on the creation account and events that have occurred since creation.
Bill Nye believes in the Big Bang. When asked where the molecules came from that exploded in the Big Bang, he said he did not know and that is what scientists are trying to figure out.
Ken Ham believes that all things had their beginning at the hand of the Creator.
Bill Nye says he does not know where consciousness comes from. Ken Ham gently reminded him, “There is a Book,” and the Book teaches where consciousness comes from.
Ken Ham has been criticized for his presentation. Many feel that he did not provide enough evidence to “prove” the Bible. However, as Ken Ham pointed out, none of us were there in the beginning. We must accept our beliefs about the origin of all things by faith. Ken Ham's faith is in “a Book.” “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11:3)
Bill Nye demanded evidence, particularly in the area of the world wide flood. He said that, if Creationists could just come up with one piece of evidence, he would believe. But would he? Ken Ham presented evidence for the creationist viewpoint in several different areas, but Bill Nye would not accept any of that evidence. Would he accept the truth if one more piece of evidence were presented to him? If he rejected the evidence already presented to him, would he believe if more evidence were presented? I am afraid he would be like the rich man’s brothers, of whom Jesus said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:31b)
If Bill Nye will not believe God’s word, he will not be persuaded though presented with a great multitude of evidence. It is not evidence that has power; rather it is the word of God. Several times Ken Ham gently reminded Bill Nye, “There is a book.” He also clearly presented the gospel at least three times and stood firmly for what is right. God’s word can penetrate Bill Nye’s heart though because God’s word is “like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29b)
We need to pray for Bill Nye to receive God’s word, for it will change his heart and life.
We also need to pray that God’s word and the gospel, which was so clearly presented, will penetrate the hearts of all who heard.
If you would like to listen to the debate, it is archived at debatelive.org .