An inherent drive to worship seems to be ingrained in the human spirit (mental disposition). As stated by The New Encyclopædia Britannica, scholars have yet to identify a society that has not displayed some form of religiosity, past or present, regardless of time or location. Tracing back to the dawning of humanity, the first man and woman naturally looked up to their Creator with reverence and awe, seeking divine guidance and wisdom. Consequently, the inception of religion on earth essentially aligns with the creation of Adam, which Biblical chronology places before 4004 B.C.E.[1]

The concept of “Adam’s creation,” as detailed in the Bible, has often sparked debate. However, there are a number of compelling reasons that this account should be taken into consideration without immediate skepticism.

1. Harmony with Genetic Evidence: Contemporary genetic studies indicate that all human beings can trace their lineage back to a single woman and a single man, known as Mitochondrial Eve and Y-Chromosomal Adam, respectively. While not referring to the biblical figures of Adam and Eve, these genetic ancestors provide scientific backing for the narrative of common human ancestry. Recent advancements in genetic studies point to common human ancestry. All humans share an astounding 99.9% of their DNA, underscoring the fact that we are incredibly similar on a genetic level. The concept of mitochondrial Eve and Y-chromosome Adam further supports this, indicating that all humans can trace their lineage back to a single woman and a single man, respectively. Although the ‘Eve’ and ‘Adam’ referred to in genetics aren’t the same individuals depicted in the Bible, the principle of a shared ancestry remains consistent.
2. Compatibility with Anthropological Studies: Anthropological and historical studies generally recognize Mesopotamia as the earliest cradles of civilization, the birthplace of humanity. This region, located in present-day Iraq and parts of Syria, Iran, and Turkey, saw the rise of some of the world’s earliest complex societies, beginning around 4000-3000 B.C.E. These societies developed many significant advancements, including written language, complex political structures, and advanced architecture and infrastructure.
3. Linguistic Evidence: The field of linguistics also corroborates the idea of a shared origin. Despite the vast array of languages in the world today, many linguistic scholars believe that these languages all evolved from a single, original language—an idea strikingly parallel to the account of the Tower of Babel in the Bible.
4. Philosophical Considerations: The philosophical argument of morality necessitates the existence of a moral lawgiver, an idea that is supported by the narrative of Adam’s creation. It accounts for the inherent understanding of right and wrong that exists universally among different cultures and societies, further cementing its credibility.
5. Historical Consistency: The account of Adam’s creation is not an isolated event within the Bible but is a narrative consistent with the rest of the biblical timeline. The genealogical accounts in the Bible trace lineage directly back to Adam, demonstrating a continuity of narrative.
6. Archaeological Corroboration: Archaeological findings, including ancient artifacts and writings, provide further evidence supporting the historical context of the Bible, thereby indirectly supporting the narrative of Adam’s creation.
7. Moral and Ethical Uniformity: Despite cultural and geographical differences, nearly all human societies have a shared sense of morality—an understanding of right and wrong. This common moral code suggests an initial shared ethical system that would have been part of a common ancestry, and is entirely consistent with the teaching of the Bible that God instilled a sense of morality in the first human beings.

While these points do not definitively prove Adam’s creation, they underscore that the narrative is far from unreasonable or unworthy of consideration. It is in harmony with various fields of scientific study, suggesting that the story of Adam’s creation may indeed provide a valid perspective on human origins. As with any scholarly pursuit, the interpretation and acceptance of this narrative should be the result of careful examination, thought, and, where possible, empirical evidence.

Rather than being unscientific, the biblical narrative of a common human ancestry aligns with various lines of scientific evidence, including genetics, linguistics, anthropology, and the study of morality. It’s crucial to recognize that both science and the Bible can and do offer complementary perspectives on the question of human origins.

These pieces of evidence affirm the Bible’s credibility, suggesting that there’s no basis for dismissing its account of religious discord’s inception.

How One Religion Became More

Following Adam and Eve’s ejection from the Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis 3:23-24, religion began to diversify amongst their descendants, resulting in a multitude of distinct beliefs. Most religious doctrines share common elements—an acknowledgment of mankind’s fall from divine favor (Genesis 3:24), the unnatural state of death (Romans 5:12), and the necessity of sacrifice to restore divine favor (Hebrews 9:22). These shared concepts suggest that all religions stemmed from a single origin – an idea that is given weight by the early narratives in the Bible.

The first deviation from God’s authority was made by Adam and Eve when they rejected divine counsel in favor of a different source of guidance, as told in Genesis 3:1-6. Unbeknownst to them, the true voice behind the serpent’s deception was Satan, a fact later revealed in Revelation 12:9. This pivotal moment marked humanity’s transition from theocratic rule to self-determined standards of good and evil.

It was this act of independence from God’s guidance that set humanity on a path towards religious diversification, all contrasting with the true worship upheld by God’s faithful servants through the ages, as mentioned in John 4:23-24. In 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, Paul made it clear that these independent forms of worship were not offerings to God but to demons.

This rebellion against God initiated a second form of worship that emphasized the creature above the Creator. As declared in 2 Corinthians 4:4 and 1 John 5:19, the true instigator of this new religion was Satan the Devil, who proclaimed himself as the new “god.”

Despite these changes, Adam and Eve’s first sons, Cain and Abel, were religious in their own ways, offering sacrifices to the Creator as described in Genesis 4:3-4. However, within less than 130 years into humanity’s existence, their unity was disrupted when Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God and Cain’s was not (Genesis 4:5). God’s refusal to accept just any form of worship, led Cain, out of anger, to kill his brother Abel, marking the first act of religious conflict in human history (Genesis 4:8).

During the time of Enosh, a nephew of Cain and Abel, “a start was made of calling on the name of Jehovah” (Genesis 4:26). However, this usage of God’s name was profane, marking a rise in religious hypocrisy and idolatry. This event set the tone for false religion and its pretense of representing God.

During this era, mankind’s idolatrous activities proliferated to such an extent that Enoch’s prophecy against ungodliness, found in Jude 14-15, came to fruition. Humanity was teeming with “ungodly sinners” conducting “ungodly deeds,” which even involved idolizing angels who had disobeyed God, as described in Genesis 6:1-2.

Noah, however, “found favor in the eyes of Jehovah” (Genesis 6:8) and “walked with the true God” (Genesis 6:9). Despite being greatly outnumbered by the wicked, Noah and his family were the only ones spared from God’s judgment. God determined to end the reign of ungodliness by flooding the earth, sparing only Noah and his family (Genesis 7:1, 23). After the flood, Noah’s family built an altar to Jehovah in an act of true worship (Genesis 8:20). This flood clearly demarcated the lines between true and false religions.

The narratives surrounding the expulsion of Adam from Eden, the subsequent disobedience of his descendants, and the emergence of diverse religious practices all underscore the progression of religious belief systems. They chronicle the genesis of various forms of worship, some aligned with God’s teachings and others leaning towards falsehoods, all tracing back to the original act of rebellion against divine authority (Genesis 3:6).

Religion and Your Future

Understanding the past of religion is crucial as it fundamentally falls into two categories: one approved by mankind’s Creator and the other categorically unapproved. Naturally, if one seeks to gain the Creator’s favor, it is necessary to align one’s religious views with His. We must remember, we are all part of this equation because, by our constitution, we are religious beings.

As we embark on examining the history of religion, it’s vital to maintain an open mind and, more importantly, a receptive heart. Each time we scrutinize a specific religion, we should pause and ask ourselves whether its doctrines are clear, understandable, and logical. Are its accomplishments noteworthy? Has religion managed to draw its followers closer to the Creator by emphasizing the significance of adhering to His commands? Or has it permitted them to establish their own moral standards?

Has religion encouraged people to place their trust in God to resolve global issues, or has it misled them into relying on political methods for solutions? Has it fostered unity and peace among earth’s inhabitants, or has it sown the seeds of discord and provoked wars?

Such inquiries will assist us in discerning the one true original religion established by mankind’s Creator from the numerous counterfeit versions introduced by His adversary.

The Bible, which is the word of God Himself (2 Timothy 3:16), provides us with clear guidelines on how to discern true religion. The Apostle James in James 1:27 states that “the form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.” This emphasizes that true religion involves clean and undefiled worship, love and care for vulnerable people, and the maintenance of personal holiness.

Moreover, the Bible highlights the importance of love as a distinguishing factor of true religion. In 1 John 4:7-8, it is written: “Beloved ones, let us continue loving one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. Whoever does not love has not come to know God because God is love.” Thus, true religion is characterized by the practice of genuine love, which is a reflection of God’s nature.

As we look to the future of religion, it’s crucial to understand the prophecies in the Bible concerning the end times. In Matthew 24:14, Jesus prophesied that “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

From a global standpoint, this prophecy suggests that the true religion will be characterized by a worldwide preaching work aimed at educating all people about God’s Kingdom. It is not a religion confined to a particular geography, culture, or race. Instead, it welcomes all who are willing to adhere to God’s commands and principles.

Additionally, the Bible talks about a time when there will be no need for different religions as all the earth’s inhabitants will know and worship Jehovah. As prophesied in Jeremiah 31:34, “No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.”

Understanding these prophetic words about religion’s future should not only inform our actions today but also shape our hope for the future. By aligning our religious practices with the teachings of the Bible, we play our part in fulfilling these prophecies and ensuring our future approval from God.

In conclusion, as we examine the past, present, and future of religion, it becomes clear that the path to the Creator’s approval lies in understanding His word, the Bible. By learning to discern true religion from counterfeit ones and by committing to the practice of genuine love and care for others, we ensure that our future is one aligned with God’s will and purpose. The future of religion is our future too.

Does religion play a role in the current moral decline and disintegration of ethical standards we see in the world today? A future article will explore this question. See The Hunter and the Tower.

[1] This data is based on Adam being expelled from the Garden of Eden. The Bible does not support the literal 24-hour-day interpretation. They were creation periods. Therefore, we do not know how long Adam was in the Garden of Eden before Eve was created, after Eve was created, and before they sinned and were expelled. It could have been decades or even hundreds of years for Adam.

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