Throughout history, theories and beliefs have bound and limited mankind; for example, the theory of the flat earth, the stationary earth, and many others. The present age is no exception, as the many conflicting theories about the origin and behavior of mankind prove.
Fundamental among these mistaken theories is the one recorded in the second chapter of Genesis, beginning with verse 6, where the history of the material creation and physical man is figuratively presented. All the atrocities mankind has inflicted or suffered from the earliest times can be seen to stem from this belief in a material and limited creation. Mrs. Eddy writes, "In this erroneous theory, matter takes the place of Spirit." And in the following paragraph she continues, "This latter part of the second chapter of Genesis, which portrays Spirit as supposedly cooperating with matter in constructing the universe, is based on some hypothesis of error, for the Scripture just preceding declares God's work to be finished." Science and Health, p. 522;
With his insight into the sufferings and longings of men, Paul wrote: "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Rom. 8:22, 23;
