Singularity theorems have been devised that apply in the inflationary context, showing that the universe necessarily had a beginning. However, recently, models that escape this conclusion have been studied. These models do not satisfy the geometrical assumptions of these theorems. Specifically, the theorems assume that either the universe has open space sections, or the Hubble expansion rate is bounded away from zero in the past. Such models, called Emergent Universe, are appealing since they provide specific examples of non–-singular (geodesically complete) inflationary universes. In this talk I will present an alternative scheme for an Emergent Universe scenario, where the universe is initially in a static state supported by a scalar field located in a false vacuum. The universe begins to evolve when, by quantum tunneling, the scalar field decays into a state of true vacuum.