Hell Will Not Convince Bill Nye of a Young Earth

Bill Nye has made some blatantly anti-biblical, agenda-driven statements recently in an attempt to promote his religion of naturalism (secular humanism) to the culture. Some of the latest propaganda from Bill Nye was from a feature article in the September 2014 issue of Popular Science, which particularly focused on my debate with him and other topics. In fact, a recent Christian News article recapped some statements Bill Nye made in Popular Science and also quoted from our feature articles that commented on the Popular Science article. The Christian News article highlighted a comment on hell and a young Earth by Bill Nye that just shows his willful ignorance and rejection of the Christian worldview. This quote from him is particularly sorrowful and, to borrow a phrase used often by Bill Nye in the debate, “to me, it is troubling.”

“Let’s say that I am, through my actions, doomed, and that I will go to hell,” Nye told Popular Science in the previously mentioned article. “Even if I am going to hell . . . that still doesn’t mean the Earth is 6,000 years old. The facts just don’t reconcile.”

Salvation Is a Free Gift

First of all, we want to clarify (again) that salvation is a free gift, and that it is dependent upon the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the Cross—His death, burial, and Resurrection. We read in the Scriptures that God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Because of our sin we are alienated from God—and will be forever if we don’t receive this free gift of salvation. God wants to rescue us from this state of alienation from Him. But for those who reject the free gift of salvation, they will spend forever separated from God in a place the Bible calls hell.  Actually, the secularists, who want nothing to do with the God of creation and salvation, will receive what they want—eternal separation from God—unless they receive this free gift of salvation.

Salvation is not dependent upon the age of the earth—it is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone! Romans 1:16–17 and 5:15–17 as well as Ephesians 2:8–9 make this clear.

The Age of the Earth Is a Matter of Biblical Authority

However, as we have also pointed out (numerous times) on our website, the age of the earth is a matter of biblical authority. The history of Earth as recorded in Scripture is clearly portrayed as having begun in perfection, and then having been subjected to the Curse because of mankind’s Fall in Eden. The last Adam, Jesus Christ, is clearly presented as being sent to restore mankind to God, and ultimately to restore all of creation back to perfection (Romans 5:12–19; Revelation 21:4, 22:3). The genealogies in Genesis 5 and 10, as well as in 1 Chronicles, Matthew, and Luke clearly portray all of mankind as being descended from Adam, and all of humanity as having only been in existence for a little more than 6,000 years. A clear reading of Genesis 1 and 2 shows that the universe is only (at most) five days older than mankind.

But there were several times during the debate where I presented data that does reconcile a young Earth with observational science. This data is also on our Debate Answers page. In fact, on this page alone, we link to over 300 articles and several audio and video files that rebut the evolutionary worldview and provide evidence of a young Earth. There are many cosmic, geological, and biological evolutionary “facts” that don’t reconcile with an old universe or Earth. As we have often said on our website, we all have the same facts; it’s the interpretation of those facts that widely differs.

Upholding the Word of God and Proclaiming the Gospel

However, the really troubling part of Bill’s quote is the cavalier way in which he treats the subject of hell. What is even more disturbing would be if he (incorrectly, we hasten to add) actually thinks that we at Answers in Genesis actually wish this horrible fate upon him. We do not, and I have made it public and will continue to do so that our fervent desire is that Bill Nye (and all other atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and so on) hear the gospel, be convicted of their sin against a holy God, repent, and turn to Christ (Romans 10:9–13; 1 Timothy 2:3–4). I echo the words of the Apostle Paul here: “Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33). The ultimate goal of the debate from my viewpoint was that the Word of God be honored and the gospel be clearly presented.

Make no mistake, Bill Nye was exposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ during the debate, and so was a worldwide audience of millions of believers and unbelievers alike (our conservative estimate is that 15 million have seen this debate to date). We can only plant and water the gospel seed; it is up to God to give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Yes, we want to equip believers with answers, to everyone who asks us a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15). Yes, we also want to boldly proclaim and not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16). But an even stronger desire is that God use this gospel proclamation to His glory to save sinners (1 Corinthians 3:7; 1 Timothy 1:15).

I do not wish Bill Nye or anyone else to ignore the dangers of hell, but I am even more concerned that Answers in Genesis continue to boldly proclaim Christ to all. We utilize creation evangelism methods, but our desire is not to “convert” people to creation, but to point people to the only Savior, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). The goal of creation evangelism and my heartfelt desire in the debate and in the AiG ministry is succinctly summed up by the Apostle Paul:

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:20–21)

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.  For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:1–2).

Rebutting Popular Science

To read our three articles by Troy Lacey (with Bodie Hodge coauthoring the third article) rebutting Popular Science’s “Bill Nye Fights Back” article, please see the following links:

• Popular Science Is Now Popular Spin?
• Bill Nye: Fighting for “Science”?
• Destruction or Salvation: What Motivated the Nye-Ham Debate?

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.