Since the dawn of humanity, one of the most intriguing questions that has occupied the minds of philosophers, scientists, and religious thinkers is the origin of the material universe. Where did everything that exists come from? Has matter always existed, or did it have a beginning? If it had a beginning, who or what created it?
This fundamental question finds different answers in various philosophical and religious traditions. Some argue that matter is eternal, without beginning or end. Others categorically affirm that it was created by God at a specific moment. Spiritism, as a philosophy that seeks to reconcile science, philosophy, and religion, also addresses this question.
In The Spirits’ Book, the fundamental work of the Spiritist Doctrine codified by Allan Kardec in 1857, question 24 directly asks: “Is matter eternal or was it created by God?” The answer, surprising in its intellectual honesty, opens the way for a profound reflection on the limits of human knowledge and the nature of divine creation.
The Answer from The Spirits’ Book to Question 24
Analyzing the Response of the Higher Spirits
When asked whether matter is eternal or was created by God, the Higher Spirits responded: “God alone knows. There is, however, one thing that your reason should tell you: God, the model of love and charity, was never inactive. However distant you may imagine the beginning of His action, can you conceive of Him for a single moment in idleness?”
This response is remarkable in several aspects. First, it does not offer a categorical statement about whether matter is eternal or not. Instead, it acknowledges that this knowledge is beyond current human understanding and even beyond the understanding of the Spirits who provided the answers for The Spirits’ Book.
Second, although it does not directly answer the question, the response offers an important reflection on the nature of God as an eternally active and creative being. This perspective suggests that, regardless of when or how matter arose, it is related to God’s continuous creative activity.
Why Don’t the Spirits Give a Definitive Answer?
The absence of a definitive answer to this fundamental question might seem frustrating at first glance. After all, we expect Higher Spirits, with their broader knowledge, to clarify all our doubts. However, this stance reveals an important principle of Spiritism: the recognition of the limits of knowledge.
Spiritism teaches that Spirits, even the most elevated ones, are not omniscient. They possess knowledge broader than ours, proportional to their degree of evolution, but still limited compared to divine knowledge. There are questions that are beyond the comprehension even of the most evolved Spirits.
Moreover, this stance reflects the intellectual honesty that characterizes the Spiritist Doctrine. Instead of offering dogmatic answers to questions that are beyond our current understanding, Spiritism invites us to recognize the limits of knowledge and maintain an attitude of humility and openness to continuous learning.
God’s Constant Activity as a Fundamental Principle
Although it does not directly answer whether matter is eternal or created, the response to question 24 establishes a fundamental principle: God was never inactive. This statement has profound implications for our understanding of creation.
The idea of an eternally active God contrasts with some traditional religious views that describe creation as a one-time event, after which God “rested.” In the Spiritist view, God is presented as a supreme intelligence in constant creative activity.
This perspective suggests a process of continuous creation, in which God is constantly manifesting His intelligence and love through the creation and transformation of the universe. It is not about a “moment” of creation, but an eternal flow of divine manifestation.
The Concept of Matter in the Spiritist View
How Spiritism Defines Matter
To better understand the question of whether matter is eternal or not, it’s important to understand how Spiritism defines matter itself. In question 22 of The Spirits’ Book, when asked how to define Spirit and matter, the Spirits respond: “Matter is the tie that enchains the Spirit; it is the instrument that serves it and upon which, at the same time, it exerts its action.”
This definition presents matter not just as a physical substance, but as a functional element that serves as an instrument for the Spirit. Matter is seen as a medium through which the Spirit can act, learn, and evolve.
In question 21, when asked if all matter is formed from a single primitive element, the Spirits respond: “Yes, the primitive or cosmic matter, as your scientists say, who have recognized this truth, but this matter undergoes modifications and transformations to form the different bodies of nature.”
This suggests that, in its most fundamental essence, all matter derives from a single primitive element, which manifests in different forms and states through transformations.
The Relationship Between Matter and Spirit
In the Spiritist view, matter and Spirit are the two fundamental elements of the universe. They are not seen as opposites or antagonistic, but as complementary. Spirit is the intelligent principle, while matter is the instrument through which Spirit manifests and evolves.
This relationship is explained in question 27 of The Spirits’ Book: “Would there thus be two general elements of the universe: matter and Spirit?” The answer is: “Yes, and above all is God, the creator, the father of all things. God, Spirit, and matter constitute the principle of all that exists, the universal trinity.”
This universal trinity – God, Spirit, and matter – forms the basis of the Spiritist understanding of the universe. God is the supreme intelligence, the primary cause of all things. Spirit is the individualized intelligent principle. Matter is the instrument and the medium of manifestation.
The Different States of Matter According to Spiritism
Spiritism recognizes that matter exists in different states, from the densest to the most subtle. In question 29, when asked if matter is formed of one or many elements, the Spirits respond: “Of one primitive element. Bodies that you consider simple are not true elements, but transformations of the primitive matter.”
This view anticipated, in a way, discoveries of modern physics, which showed that all chemical elements are formed by fundamental subatomic particles. Spiritism goes further, suggesting that there exists an even more subtle matter that escapes the perception of our physical senses.
The perispirit, for example, is described as a semi-material envelope of the Spirit, composed of an extremely subtle matter. This matter, although not perceptible by our physical senses, is real and follows its own laws.
Theories About the Origin of Matter
The Hypothesis of Eternal Matter: Arguments and Implications
The hypothesis that matter is eternal, without beginning or end, has been defended by various philosophical currents throughout history. Philosophical materialism, for example, considers that only matter exists and that it is eternal, being the cause of all phenomena, including consciousness.
This hypothesis has some important implications. If matter is eternal, then there was no moment of “creation” properly speaking. The universe has always existed, although it may go through cycles of transformation, expansion, and contraction.
From the Spiritist point of view, if matter were eternal like God, this would mean that it would be an independent principle, coexisting with God from the beginning. This would raise questions about divine sovereignty and the nature of the relationship between God and matter.
The Hypothesis of Divine Creation: Arguments and Implications
The hypothesis that matter was created by God is central to many religious traditions, especially the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). According to this view, there was a moment when God, by His will, created the material universe from nothing (creatio ex nihilo).
This hypothesis implies that matter had a definite beginning and that it is totally dependent on God for its existence. It also suggests that God exists “outside” or “beyond” the material universe, being transcendent to it.
From the Spiritist point of view, if matter was created by God, this would reinforce the idea of God as the primary cause of all things. However, the answer to question 24 neither confirms nor refutes this hypothesis, leaving the question open.
The Idea of Continuous Creation Versus One-Time Creation
A third perspective, which can be inferred from the answer to question 24, is the idea of continuous creation. According to this view, creation is not a one-time event that occurred at a specific moment in the past, but a continuous process in which God is constantly manifesting His intelligence and love through the creation and transformation of the universe.
The statement that “God was never inactive” suggests this perspective of continuous creation. God is not seen as a “watchmaker” who created the universe and then left it to run on its own, but as an active and creative presence at all times.
This view has profound implications for our understanding of the relationship between God and the universe. God is not only transcendent (beyond the universe), but also immanent (present in the universe), continuously manifesting through natural laws and universal evolution.
Science and Spiritism: Possible Dialogues
Modern Scientific Theories About the Origin of the Universe
Modern science has its own theories about the origin of the material universe. The most widely accepted currently is the Big Bang theory, which proposes that the universe began approximately 13.8 billion years ago, from an extremely dense and hot state, and has been expanding ever since.
This theory is based on various astronomical observations, such as the expansion of the universe, cosmic background radiation, and the relative abundance of light elements. It describes with remarkable precision the evolution of the universe from its earliest moments to the present.
However, it’s important to note that the Big Bang theory does not explain what existed “before” the Big Bang or what caused this initial event. Current science recognizes that its theories have limits and that there are questions that are beyond the reach of the current scientific method.
How the Big Bang Relates to the Spiritist View
The Big Bang theory does not necessarily contradict the Spiritist view of the origin of the universe. In fact, it can be seen as a scientific description of the process by which the material universe as we know it was formed, without necessarily addressing more fundamental questions about the existence of primitive matter or the first cause of this process.
From the Spiritist point of view, the Big Bang could be understood as a moment of transformation of primitive matter, part of the continuous process of divine creation. Science describes “how” the universe evolved, while Spiritism seeks to understand the “why” and the purpose of this evolution.
It’s interesting to note that the Big Bang theory, by proposing a beginning for the universe as we know it, raises philosophical questions similar to those addressed by Spiritism: What existed before? What caused the beginning? These questions point to the limits of human knowledge and to the possibility of realities that transcend our current understanding.
The Limits of Scientific and Spiritual Knowledge
Both science and Spiritism recognize the limits of human knowledge. Modern science, especially after the revolutions of quantum physics and relativity, has a more humble understanding of its own limitations. Questions such as what existed “before” the Big Bang or what exists “beyond” the observable universe are, for now, beyond the reach of the scientific method.
Similarly, Spiritism, as we saw in the answer to question 24, recognizes that there are questions that are beyond the comprehension even of the most evolved Spirits. This stance of intellectual humility is an important characteristic of the Spiritist Doctrine.
This recognition of the limits of knowledge is not a weakness, but a strength. It protects us from dogmatism and intellectual arrogance, keeping us open to continuous learning and to the possibility that our current understandings are partial and subject to revision as we evolve.
Philosophical and Moral Implications
How the Origin of Matter Affects Our Worldview
The question of the origin of matter is not just a theoretical or academic problem. It has profound implications for our worldview and for how we understand our place in the universe.
If we believe that matter was created by God with a purpose, this suggests that the universe has meaning and direction. Our material existence is not a cosmic accident, but part of a divine plan. This perspective can give us a sense of purpose and meaning.
On the other hand, if we consider the possibility that matter is eternal, this leads us to reflect on the nature of the relationship between God and the material universe. God would not only be the creator, but the organizer and transformer of pre-existing matter, guiding its evolution according to wise and perfect laws.
In both cases, the Spiritist view invites us to see the material universe not as something separate from the spiritual, but as part of a broader reality in which matter and Spirit interact and evolve together.
Intellectual Humility as a Virtue
One of the most important lessons we can draw from the answer to question 24 is the value of intellectual humility. Recognizing the limits of our knowledge is not a weakness, but a virtue.
The history of science and philosophy is full of examples of how absolute certainties were later revised or abandoned in light of new knowledge. Intellectual humility protects us from dogmatism and keeps us open to continuous learning.
This stance is especially important in fundamental questions such as the origin of the universe. Instead of categorically affirming what we cannot know with certainty, it is wiser to recognize the limits of our current knowledge and maintain an attitude of openness and curiosity.
The Purpose of Matter in the Divine Plan
Regardless of whether matter is eternal or created, Spiritism emphasizes that it has a purpose in the divine plan. As we saw in the definition from question 22, matter is “the instrument that serves the Spirit and upon which it exerts its action.”
This instrumental purpose of matter is fundamental to the Spiritist understanding of the universe. Matter does not exist by itself or for itself, but as a means for the evolution of Spirits. Through interaction with matter, Spirits develop their potentialities, learn, and progress.
This teleological view (oriented toward an end) of the material universe contrasts with purely mechanistic views that see the universe as a system without purpose or direction. For Spiritism, the material universe is part of a divine plan of universal evolution.
Matter in the Context of Universal Evolution
Matter as an Instrument for the Evolution of Spirits
As mentioned earlier, matter, in the Spiritist view, is the instrument through which Spirits evolve. This relationship is fundamental to understanding the purpose of matter in the divine plan.
Through incarnation in material bodies, Spirits have the opportunity to develop their intellectual and moral faculties. The experiences lived in the material world provide learnings that would be impossible in the purely spiritual state.
The resistance of matter, its limitations and challenges, are an essential part of this learning process. It is through the effort to overcome these limitations that the Spirit develops its potentialities and progresses in its evolutionary journey.
The Constant Transformation of Matter
A fundamental characteristic of matter is its constant transformation. Nothing in the material universe remains static. From subatomic particles to galaxies, everything is in constant movement and change.
This constant transformation reflects the continuous creative activity of God mentioned in the answer to question 24. Matter is not something fixed and immutable, but a dynamic element that evolves and transforms according to divine laws.
Modern science confirms this view, showing how matter continuously transforms through physical, chemical, and biological processes. The very evolution of species can be seen as part of this process of continuous transformation of matter, creating increasingly complex forms capable of serving as instruments for the manifestation of Spirit.
The Final Destiny of Matter According to Spiritism
If matter has an instrumental purpose in the divine plan, this raises questions about its final destiny. Spiritism suggests that, as Spirits evolve, their relationship with matter also transforms.
More evolved Spirits inhabit worlds with more subtle and less dense matter. In higher worlds, matter does not present the same limitations and sufferings that we know on Earth. It is more malleable to the will of the Spirit and less subject to degradation and suffering.
Some interpreters of Spiritism suggest that, at the limit of evolution, when all Spirits reach perfection, matter as we know it may no longer be necessary. However, this is a speculative question that goes beyond what is explicitly taught in the basic works of the Spiritist Doctrine.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Eternity of Matter
If God Created Matter, When Did This Happen?
This is a natural question that arises when we consider the hypothesis of divine creation of matter. However, it presupposes a linear understanding of time that may not be applicable to God or to the broader spiritual reality.
As the answer to question 24 suggests, God was never inactive. His creative activity is constant and eternal. Therefore, it makes no sense to ask “when” God created matter, as if there were a specific moment in time.
Time, as we understand it, is a dimension of the material universe. God, as the supreme intelligence and primary cause of all things, transcends these temporal limitations. Divine creation, if it occurred, should not be understood as a one-time event in time, but as an expression of God’s eternally creative nature.
Can Matter Be Destroyed or Only Transformed?
Modern science teaches us that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. This principle, known as the law of conservation of mass-energy, is one of the foundations of physics.
Spiritism does not contradict this scientific principle. In fact, the idea of constant transformation of matter, mentioned earlier, is aligned with this scientific understanding.
However, Spiritism goes beyond the purely physical understanding, suggesting that matter, in its most fundamental essence, is related to the universal cosmic fluid, a primordial substance that can assume different states and forms according to divine will.
How to Reconcile Different Religious Views on Creation?
Different religious traditions have their own narratives about the creation of the universe. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, for example, have creation accounts that, interpreted literally, suggest that God created the universe at a specific moment in the past.
Spiritism does not reject these narratives, but suggests that they should be interpreted symbolically rather than literally. Creation narratives in different religious traditions can be understood as attempts to express profound spiritual truths in language accessible to people of different times and cultures.
The Spiritist view, by recognizing the limits of human knowledge and emphasizing God’s continuous creative activity, offers a perspective that can help reconcile different religious views, focusing on the purpose and meaning of creation, rather than literal details about “how” and “when” it occurred.
Conclusion: The Limits of Knowledge and the Continuous Search
What We Can Affirm with Certainty
After exploring the question of the eternity of matter from different perspectives, what can we affirm with certainty?
First, we can affirm that matter, whether eternal or created, has a purpose in the divine plan. It serves as an instrument for the evolution of Spirits, providing experiences and learnings that would be impossible in the purely spiritual state.
Second, we can affirm that matter is in constant transformation, reflecting God’s continuous creative activity. Nothing in the material universe is static or permanent; everything is in constant movement and change.
Third, we can affirm that our current understanding of the ultimate origin of matter is limited. As the answer to question 24 suggests, there are questions that are beyond the reach of current human knowledge and even the knowledge of the Spirits who communicated through The Spirits’ Book.
The Invitation to Personal Reflection
The question of the eternity of matter, far from being just a theoretical problem, invites us to a profound personal reflection on our worldview and our place in the universe.
How do we see our relationship with the material world? Do we recognize its instrumental role in our spiritual evolution? Or do we become excessively attached to it, forgetting its transitory character and its function as a means, not an end?
These reflections have practical implications for our daily lives. They invite us to use the material world consciously and responsibly, recognizing its value as an instrument of learning and evolution, but without identifying exclusively with it or making it the center of our aspirations.
The Importance of Keeping an Open Mind
Finally, the question of the eternity of matter reminds us of the importance of keeping an open mind and an attitude of intellectual humility. Recognizing the limits of our knowledge is not a weakness, but a virtue that protects us from dogmatism and keeps us open to continuous learning.
As we evolve, our understanding of the universe and of ourselves also evolves. What today seems an unfathomable mystery may, in the future, become clearer in the light of new knowledge and experiences.
This openness to continuous learning is a fundamental characteristic of Spiritism, which defines itself not as a closed and immutable doctrine, but as a progressive philosophy that evolves as new knowledge is revealed and understood.
As Allan Kardec himself said: “Spiritism, marching with progress, will never be overtaken, because, if new discoveries were to demonstrate that it is in error on any point, it would modify itself on that point. If a new truth is revealed, it will accept it.”
Further reading:
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