The issue of the cosmic origins story – specifically, whether our universe sprang into existence from some finite point of origin, or if it's just one big cycle in a series of multiversal iterations – continues to inspire intense debate among thinkers both secular and sacred (not to mention those who straddle the two spheres). But considering how far back written records extend, it's fair to say that human beings have mused upon these matters for quite some time now. 

Where does modern science stands on all this? Well, the empirical data and mathematical models developed via rigorous observation and experiment tell us pretty clearly that we inhabit an expanding universe which most likely underwent a "Big Bang" phase roughly 13.8 billion years ago. This crucial transition entailed an exponential ballooning effect in space-time in our current understanding: The entire universe started out tinier even than an electron, and the cosmos rapidly grew till attaining approximately its present vastness.

So yes, the universe did have a definite beginning.
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