I watched the highly publicized debate tonight between famous creationist and CEO of Answers in Genesis, Ken Ham and evolutionist Bill Nye, “The Science Guy.”

The debate was civil and calm, even humorous at times. Each man presented his case, using slides and media to make his points. Each was sure of his position and I believe presented his side well.

Of course, I agree wholeheartedly with Ken Ham’s views of creation, so I felt that he was more convincing. I wish there had been more time for each man to answer the questions of the other, but the format didn’t allow for much discussion between the two.

Bill Nye is an agnostic who said several times during the debate that there are “billions of religious people” around the world who reject “Ken Ham’s” beliefs on the origins of the universe. He phrased it that way several times–Ken Ham’s beliefs or views. What he fails to see is that “religious” people could be Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and so on. I’m not sure where he got his stats on this, but I believe he made a serious error lumping Christians in with the pagan “religions” of the world and trying to make it sound like creationists are such a tiny minority.

One of my favorite parts of the debate was when Nye was asked where the atoms came from that were involved in the “Big Bang.” He didn’t know. He just said scientists would keep looking for answers. Then Ken Ham told him he knows “a book” that has the answers, that tells us where all matter originated.

I almost felt sorry for Mr. Nye. Bless his heart. Apparently, he has a paralyzing fear that the U.S. will fall behind technologically if we don’t make educating our young people with “real science” (from an evolutionary mindset) a priority. To read between the lines, he means that if we reject the science of evolution and train our kids in the creation model, we are ignorant, backward hillbillies, incapable of real scientific advancements. He made this point multiple times.

Maybe he wasn’t listening when Ken Ham pointed out a few of the multitudes of scientists who have accomplished amazing feats, all the while adhering to a young earth creationist viewpoint. Or maybe he took a nap during the video snippets of the renowned PhDs around the world who are respected in their fields of science and accept the biblical account of creation. There’s the doctor who invented MRI technology; there’s famous geophysicist, Dr. John Baumgardner; there was Isaac Newton; Louis Pasteur; Leonardo da Vinci. Here‘s a list of prominent modern day scientists who are young earth creationists. Here’s an even longer list. These are brilliant people, real scientists, who understand that we didn’t evolve from a blob of nothingness–that Someone designed us and created everything that we see.

I was most impressed with Ken Ham’s very clear and direct presentation of the Gospel and the way in which he referred back to the Bible at every opportunity. If nothing else was accomplished in this debate, potentially millions of people heard about the fall of man and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If even one soul is turned from darkness and is saved from hell through this debate, it will be worth it all.

I highly recommend watching the debate, if you haven’t already. You can stream it online here .