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The Origin of Culture
By Thomas Dietrich
The Origin of Culture by Thomas Dietrich is a fascinating historical read. This
book presents the reader with some startling facts that might convince some to
reconsider what they had previously thought about the ancient world. These facts
encourage those who have been entranced by myths like that of Atlantis to think
that the mystery of ancient knowledge might finally be able to be unlocked.
As the book begins, the author works exceptionally hard to describe the
difference between Culture and Civilization, and he does this fairly
successfully, showing that while the tradition of Civilization progresses east
to west across the world (i.e. Babylonian Civilization spread to Egypt and
Greece, which progressed to Rome and the rest of Europe), Culture, Dietrich
argues, progresses west to east and is demonstrated by stories related to the
Atlantis tradition.
Dietrich spends considerable time talking about the different stories from
mythology, demonstrating that important cultural traditions have come out of the
west.
Astrology is the means by which these ancient cultures were to have possessed
great scientific knowledge. The author takes pains to distance his meaning of
astrology from its modern interpretation. Astrology and cosmology for Dietrich
mean the way that the moon, planets, sun, and other cosmic bodies affect the
Earth as well as the elements and people on it. This is perfectly reasonable
since it is readily apparent that celestial bodies like the moon have a great
affect in the earth as demonstrated by effects like the tides.
A key part of The Origin of Culture’s argument is that Culture is driven by the
Processional Cycle (representing the procession of civilization), which has
directly correlated with the rise and fall of the world’s great civilizations.
The most important of these for Dietrich and for Christians in general is the
procession into Pisces, which corresponded with the coming of Christ. Christ, as
well as the locations of his birth and death, for Dietrich represent the key to
understanding the mysteries of culture and science, as it provides a reference
point from which one can clearly indicate the exact position of the cosmological
cycles in relation to Earth.
God, says Dietrich, sends prophets at the end of cosmic cycles to bring his
messages for the future cycle. The problem with this seems to be that every 2000
years or so a new message is brought by a new messenger (and corresponds with
the procession of civilization). It implies, and perhaps requires, that Christ
is just one prophet among many. Dietrich attempts to place Christ at the top by
pointing out that as Aries gave way to Pisces at the time of Christ, the
Processions of Culture and Civilization were directly opposed.
Dietrich follows up with a difficult claim to accept, namely that all religions
agree about God but disagree over their respective prophets, and that in order
to maintain our own religion we must accept that of others. He says further that
God has never allowed man to be without his guidance. Taken together these
claims suggest that God has spoken and even directed every major world religion.
This could be accepted as a true statement if a standard is set for what is
called religion, however basing this definition on historical retrospective is
temerarious at best.
Also, had Dietrich provided a more comprehensive account of astrology’s power
than just the brief discussion of a few world events and minor (in geological
terms) earthquakes, he might have better convinced his readers that it is not
simply an arbitrary system. Although a reader can easily conclude that though
the alignment and correlation of certain phenomena may certainly be considered
the work of God, there comes a problem when men try to interpret their meanings
in some applicable way. Even taking the Christ’s coming as a kind of
astrological primer does not make it apparent that we can attain any greater
scientific or religious understanding of the cosmos’s meanings.
Dietrich presents an amazing history, and makes some powerful claims, and the
reader is left to assume that there is something to them. Sadly, the book, as it
is, is somewhat incomplete. As history it is compelling, but as philosophy its
rational argument is not as strong. If Dietrich were to write a follow-up that
explains these few questions, the two together would be worth reading.
Response to the Review from the Author:
Dear Mr. White,
I hope that you will be able to publish this
response to your review:
Response
to review of The Origin of Culture and Civilization
by Thomas K. Dietrich
The Origin of Culture and Civilization is
a life’s work (40 years) worth of concentrated information. I humbly admit that
too many new and unfamiliar topics are thrown at the reader to quickly absorb
and digest. May I please offer the following corrections?
Culture is driven by the Galactic Cycle [not
Processional] of the revolution of our solar system around the Milky
Way Galaxy. This Cycle takes millions of years to proceed. The appearance of
Christ is a function of the Galactic Cycle –and His Reign is unique, and His
Era, or Age, will endure for millions of years, Hallelujah! This Cycle helped to
manifest the Divine Nature of Christ.
The Precessional Cycle of the advance of the
Vernal Equinoxes moves rapidly through the signs of the zodiac at about 2160
years per sign, or 25,920 years for a complete revolution. This cycle promotes
the exaltation of prominent cities in it’s path, the growth of politics and
empire. God also uses this heavenly mechanism of His design to send
philosophers, scientists, prophets, and leaders into the world –which is His
Garden. This cycle helped to manifest the Human Nature of Christ.
The mystical generation of the Messiah, Jesus
Christ, took place as the Galactic Cycle moved from Pisces into the new Age of
Aries. At the time of the Crucifixion –astronomically the Cycle of Precession
crossed over from Aries into its New Age of Pisces; and therefore CROSSED over
the Galactic Cycle moving in the counter-clockwise direction.
Astrology is not the power behind ancient
thought. Their world-view was based upon Cosmology which is a balanced Concordia
of astronomy, astrology, philosophy, history, religion, and all the important
disciplines. This is why neither Newton nor Einstein could solve their greatest
questions –because they restricted their viewpoint only to their science or
their narrow faith.
At this moment I am in the middle of my follow-up
book, The Eartholder, which will better present many of the topics
already discussed, answer pertinent questions, and review Mesoamerican myth and
history, and explore the possibility of natural disaster and earthquake
prediction through the Concordia, the cosmological science. The appearance of
Christ determines geography and the current time in cosmic cycles –information
that is vital to the final advancement of modern science.
I want to thank Christian Review of Books for
their fine work and help!
Many thanks,
Thomas K. Dietrich
Publisher: Turnkey Press
ISBN: 0976498162
Price: $18.95
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