Nobody could explain the physics of how the universe got started in such a small space as Free Republic offers. And of course, the jury is still out; it's an ongoing discussion in the scientific community. But to join the conversation, go to Borders (or to the library) and find books by Brian Greene, Leon Lederman, oe Paul Davies. I like Lisa Randall, too. You can buy a illustrated plain-language version of
A Brief History of Time, as well. All these accounts are clear and engaging.
If you are a person of faith, you will find much in these books to delight you. I'm sure you know that providing a scientific explanation for how the universe got started doesn't preclude a belief in God, as many theoretical physicists do. Some people just like more of an explanation than "Let there by light."
Even the solutions concerning origin are fundamentally non-answers. If a small disparity in space-time allows eruptions, so long as they ultimately yield zero energy upon completion, it still does not address the origin of the massive energy inherent to allow the eruption in the first place. If we are an offshoot, from where? If we are part of a cycle, what started it? Either answer if attempted is ultimately unverifiable speculation based on belief.