THE ETERNAL JOURNEY I:

Prologue

The One-and-Only God has existed from eternity past and will exist throughout eternity future. Originally, he was alone. Whether or not he embarked on prior creative experiments we do not know. However, at some point he decided to create this universe out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo). Although God lovingly longed for the relational “other” (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9; cf. John 15:15), he necessarily had to create by command (Psalm 33:9). Available scientific data suggests that the initial step in his creation of this universe occurred about 13.75 billion earth years ago.¹ Additional evidence indicates that this earth, as part of the solar system, came into being about 4.5 billion years ago.² Over subsequent millennia God engaged in the continuing creation (creatio continua) of myriad forms of nature — inanimate and animate. Then, about seven million years ago, God created human ancestors called “hominids.”³ Their remains have been found and identified in Africa. More than five million years later God created primitive human species.⁴ Finally, God brought forth modern humans (Homo sapiens) about 195,000 years ago.⁵

The Development of Early Humanity

For well over 100,000 years modern humans survived as migratory hunters and gatherers. Then God graciously granted them language so they could better communicate with one another.⁶ Later, about 12,000 years ago, God introduced the “bicameral” (two-sided) mind.⁷ With this development God used hallucinatory voices in the right side of the human brain to instruct humans on what to do. These instructions were then transmitted to the left side of the brain to initiate responsive interaction. Through this bicameral use of command, possession and power,⁸ God quickly led mankind to develop and adopt a sedentary life typified by communities devoted to agriculture and technology.⁹ Although this primarily involved possession,¹⁰ it was God’s remarkable blessing for/to/with mankind and was regarded by human beings as the Edenic (“delight”) phase of their existence.

Endnotes