You’ve got to wonder what ardent atheist Bill Nye’s first thoughts were as he stepped aboard “the Ark” last Friday… “Wow, they really built it!” “These people are nuts!” “How could they possibly think Noah and his ark really existed.?”
 

I’ve been eagerly following the progress of Answers-in-Genesis ministry’s re-construction of Noah’s Ark as covered in their quarterly magazine (highly recommended by the way!). What an amazing undertaking! The project – construction began less than two years ago in Williamstown, Kentucky – is now complete, and open to the public. Believers, agnostics, skeptics – even atheists – are all welcome ~

Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old…
 
It is the largest timber-frame structure in the world, full of world-class exhibits designed to answer your questions about the biblical account of Noah’s Ark…
 
From the moment… the towering Ark comes into view, to the friendly animals in the zoo, to the jaw-dropping exhibits inside the Ark, you’ll experience the pages of the Bible like never before.

The “Science Guy” was touring the Ark Friday at the invitation of Ken Ham (president, CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis). Later that day Ham shared his thoughts about the visit on Facebook ~

The second unscheduled “debate” with Bill Nye “the Science Guy” occurred today in front of hundreds of people at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. The first one occurred at the Creation Museum in 2014. A few weeks ago, I publicly invited Bill Nye to tour the life-size Ark that opened July 7, and I offered to personally show him through. Nye accepted. Apparently Bill is the host of an upcoming science documentary and wanted to bring along a video crew as we walked through the Ark.
 
 
It really turned into an almost 2 hour debate as we walked through all three decks of the Ark. We both agreed to video the entire discussion as we walked. Numerous children, teens, and adults swarmed around us as we passionately interacted as the audience grew. […]
 
Bill challenged me about the content of many of our exhibits, and I challenged him about what he claimed and what he believed. It was a clash of world views. At one point I asked Bill: what would happen to you when you die? He said when you die “you’re done.”

 
Poor Bill. Ken took advantage of the opportunity to share the gospel with him as they strolled through the Ark ~

As we ended our walk through the 1st deck in front of life-size models of Noah and his family who were depicted praying, I asked Bill if he would mind if I prayed, and if I could I pray for him. He said I could do whatever I want as he couldn’t stop me. So while a large group of people were gathered around, I publicly prayed for Bill. I did ask him if we could be friends, but he said we could be acquaintances with mutual respect, but not friends.
 
 
I never expected it would turn into a 2 hour debate–but sometimes those spontaneous happenings can be very fruitful and exciting […]

 
To me, it was so fitting that with the opening of the Ark Encounter, this massive ship is being used to witness to such a well known personality…
 
Let’s all pray for Bill Nye.

God is in the business of changing hearts and minds. May the Ark Encounter be the means to change many, many more… even the “Science Guy’s!”

 
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Related:
A couple refreshingly objective articles about the new theme park from
1.) the Washington Post ~ A flagship for a biblical worldview
2.) Forbes ~ With ‘Ark Encounter’ Attraction, Builder Ken Ham Invites All Comers — and Controversy ~

“We are bold about the fact that we’re doing it because we’re Christians and we’re doing it for the Christian message,” Ham said. “But we’re not trying to force it on people. What we want to do is challenge people to consider that what they’re seeing was true and feasible. We want to get them to take the Bible seriously.”