The debate in the Western world over the origin of the earth is a relatively new issue, having arisen in the mid-1800s with the publication of Charles Darwin’s the Origin of Species, which explained the theory of evolution.However, over the last nearly 200 years, what started as widely ridiculed concept has now become generally accepted by many around the world as scientific fact.That said, there are still many people, of a variety of religious faiths, that still hold to the belief that the world, and all that is in it, was created by an intelligent God. It is a belief that is most strongly held by evangelical and fundamental Christians who continue to bring the debate to the forefront.Ken Ham, founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis Worldwide, has become a leading apologist and proponent of creationism, and will be speaking in five different sessions tomorrow and Monday as a guest of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship.“Really, [the purpose of Answers in Genesis] is to show the history of the Bible as true, and therefore the history of the gospel is true,” Mr. Ham shared in a recent phone interview.The ministry specialises in Christian apologetics, encouraging Christians to learn more about what they believe and how to share it in the modern world, as well as reaching out to non-Christians with “the truth about the Bible”.“Apologetics does not mean apologise,” Mr. Ham explained, “but (it is) a logical defence of the faith. We are equipping people to give a logical defence of the faith, so people can help others.”“People tend to think that our biggest challenge is from athiests and the secular world ... but even though we deal with those, and get those attacks, the biggest challenge is from within the church.”Through the last 100 years or so, the church, in many places, has faced a crisis of faith, in trying to determine what to do with the scientific theory of evolution.“We’re seeing the next step, where more and more Christian academics are questioning a literal Adam and Eve, and a literal fall,” Mr. Ham shared.Mr. Ham strongly believes that a firm understanding of Genesis and a literal six-day creation by an intelligent God is vital to the Christian faith, and without it, the church’s whole foundation crumbles.“If it’s wrong, then the whole thing is wrong,” he says.He also believes that the current trend of Christians trying to embrace both evolutionary theory and the gospel is key to the continued decline of the church.“Look at the UK and Europe,” Mr Ham explained. “Church attendance is down... I believe it is less than seven percent now. Even the conservative church - most of the fundamental leaders believe in millions of years. It attacks the character of God.”“‘Millions of Years’ is the religion of the age to explain a life without God.”This is Mr Ham’s first visit to Bermuda, and during the sessions he hopes to encourage the church here.“I’ll be challenging the people of Bermuda that the church needs to stand on the Word of God, otherwise, ‘the salt loses its affectiveness’. I hope that Christians will realise that it really is important about what you believe about Genesis.”He also wants to strongly encourage Christian parents to provide a strong foundation in the faith to their children.“Any country that has a public education system, television ... children will be inundated with evolutionary ideas... Two-thirds of the next generation are walking away from the church in the US. I want to warn parents what can happen to their children.”He has found that many Christians are intimidated by the word science, which simply means knowledge.“It is easy to have these answers. The Bible makes sense of the world and science confirms it ... Scripture clearly states six days. When you accept millions of years as a Christian, by accepting millions of years, you’re really telling others and your children that you can add to scripture. You can add man’s ideas and undermine the Word of God. It’s an authority issue, and who is the authority? God or man?”Of course, this kind of talk can be considered quite controversial, and as a result the work of Answers in Genesis, Mr Ham has been threatened has received attacks.“One of the things tha tI have seen is that when people don’t really have rational, logical thoughts, they resort to attacks. They get emotional. It just shows that they don’t have a rational thought process.”“I feel sad for them. I just remember its not me they’re shaking their fists at, it’s God. They’re angry at God and they don’t want to listen to their own heart.”