According to Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis Ministry, the evolution / creation debate is not an argument over “young earth” versus “old earth”. It’s an argument over who is the true authority when it comes to the proper interpretation of history.
He said the following in an article entitled, A Young Earth – It’s not the Issue!; “So, the issue is not “young earth” versus “old earth,” but this: Can fallible, sinful man be in authority over the Word of God?” *
In other words, who has the right to say what is right, and what is wrong? Does fallible, sinful man have the right to properly interpret the world and proclaim how we came to be or is it God’s Word that gives the proper interpretation of history?
As other creationists have stated, it’s not a fight over the evidence, but the interpretation of the evidence. Both the creationist and the evolutionist are looking at the same rocks, the same fossils, the same sedimentation, the same DNA, the same stars, etc. So, it’s not about the evidence, but about the interpretation of it, which ultimately points to the issue of world view.
One view says, we are here by time, chance, and the inherit properties of matter. In other words, we are just a cosmic accident. The other says that we were fearfully and wonderfully made by a God that loves us. Those two views are mutually exclusive. One says mankind is the authority, the other says that God is the authority.
With respect to politics and political ideologies, I believe the debate that takes place among liberals and conservatives is like the debate between evolutionists and creationists. After the dust settles and each side has given their arguments, you can sum up the heart of the dispute; it’s over the issue of authority.
When you start with a world view that says there is no God, then the highest authority in the land is the State; which is, of course, ruled by man. But when your world view begins with the belief that God is the highest authority in all of creation and not man, then God becomes the authority in all things.
If evolution where true, then man decides what is fair and just when it comes to matters of the State, i.e. policies, laws, judgments, procedures, etc. But if God is the ultimate authority, and not man, then all laws and policies set forth by man must come under the authority of God. Not only that, but they must be in harmony with the Word of God.
When the apostles, Peter and John, were brought before the leaders of Jerusalem, they were commanded to never speak in the name of Jesus. In other words, the State declared that it was wrong for these two men, and others, to share something that contradicted what they claimed to be the truth. But the two men weren’t having it. They knew who was the true authority.
Act 4:18-20 tells the account; “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
In other words, when it comes to the issue of authority between God and man; God wins every time. When the State declares something that contradicts the Word of God, it’s not the child of God that is in rebellion or disobedience, but the State. It is the State that has overstepped its authority.
When the State passes laws and policies that destroy the family, that puts the child above the parents, with respect to the authority in the home, or defines the meaning of life, marriage, death, etc.; it is the State that is violating God’s Law and not the child of God violating man’s law.
As important as it is for Christians to point out the improper interpretation of the evidence, and outright lies, propagated by the evolutionists, it’s also important for Christians to point out the lies, hypocrisy, and deception that is put forth by the State.
Just because we don’t look to the State for solutions to our problems doesn’t mean that this excludes us from pointing out their lies and misdeeds.
Ephesians 5:6-11 makes it clear; “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
In Albert Barnes’ work, Notes on the Bible, he has this to say about Eph 5:11; “By your life, your conversation, and all your influence. This is the business of Christians. Their lives should be a standing rebuke of a sinful world, and they should be ever ready to express their disapprobation [strong disapproval] of its wickedness in every form.”
In other words, even though we are in the world but no of it, we still must reprove the works of darkness. We must stand for righteousness and holiness in a sinful world. We cannot be silent as the darkness grows. We cannot give in and let the State tell us what is right and what is wrong. We do not look to the State, or to the world to tell us the truth. We look to Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
Again, we are compelled, by the Word of God to reprove (expose, bring to light) their lies, their deceptions, their sins. Not for the purpose of shaming them, but with the hope that it will bring them to repentance. For the hope that it will bring them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, when it comes to matters of Science and Politics, we cannot remain silent.
* A Young Earth—It’s Not the Issue!
by Ken Ham on January 23, 1998
https://answersingenesis.org/why-does-creation-matter/a-young-earth-its-not-the-issue
God's Proof 