Abstract
The Genesis-geology debate, which began in the early 19th century, is a conflict of worldviews. A person's worldview not only affects the interpretation of the facts but even the observation of the facts. This is evident from the lack of scientific refutation of the views of the scriptural geologists of the 19th century, who were ignored or misrepresented. Darwin's theory of evolution was predicated on the long ages of geology which became mainstream thought during this period. However, just as the theory of evolution is losing ground, history is confirming that the scriptural geologists were right. Modern creationist research is providing solid answers to the difficult geological questions and neo-catastrophism is becoming more widely accepted in secular geological thinking. The predictions of the scriptural geologists, who warned of the negative effect that the rejection of the veracity of biblical history would have on society, are coming true. What we believe about the past, especially the origin and history of the physical creation, affects significantly our purpose in life, our values, our moral behaviour and our relationships to other people. Naturalism fails as a worldview, not only because of the strong scientific evidence against evolution and millions of years, but also because naturalism provides no philosophical basis for a moral and just society or for purpose in life.