Cycles of Salvation History: Genesis, the Flood and Marian Apparitions

by Ulrich Utiger

The first part of the present book casts a new light on the Genesis vs. science issue, the second part points out that salvation history is repeating itself through cycles of four typical phases and, based on this, the third part shows that Marian apparitions are predicted by Scriptures.

218 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2011

About the author

After high school, I preferred to get a job rather than to go to university. I first became a freelance builder and was engaged several times, among others, for conducting renovations in a Franciscan Convent. After some years, I found back to my high school enthusiasm for natural sciences and studied theoretical physics. I graduated with a Master’s degree in 2007 and afterward also got a diploma in education. I am since then working as a high school teacher.

After a stay in Lourdes, the most important Marian pilgrimage destination in France, and Medjugorje I got very interested in Catholic theology and Mariology. However, books did not always give me satisfying answers to my questions. This is why it was straightforward for me to answer the questions myself. As a result, I wrote the present book on salvation history, which took me several years.

Reviews

[Lee Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting theology! The idea is that the truths of the Bible repeat in cycles throughout history, culminating in the second coming of Jesus for a final fulfillment.

Utiger begins with the assumption that the Bible is of divine authorship, and then proceeds to make sense of it in light of history and scientific findings. In discussing the creation, for example, he notes that Genesis records the creation of birds before animals, though they actually appeared later in evolutionary history. So the creation story probably merely uses “birds” to refer to the celestial world, and the creation of angels, right? Birds live in a medium representing heaven.

As you can see, not all images in Genesis should be interpreted literally. The snake in the Garden is merely a representation of Satan, and the paradise of Eden was “of course childhood, during which the boy is still free form work and the girl does not yet bring forth children in the pain.”

Transition from one phase to another is significant. Since the sixth day of creation is a transition from land animals to humans, this may be a hint that humans descend from the animal kingdom. (Utinger is not, however, a believer in natural selection. He finds it in opposition to reality: the aim of evolution was to bring forth humankind created in the image of God, so it could hardly have been undirected).

Utiger speculates about Genesis, Daniel, Revelation, and more. An interesting side trip into Marian apparitions rounds out the discussion. This focus on the Blessed Virgin is not coincidental; Utiger has studied Catholic theology and Mariology, and finds apparitions to be supported and predicted by the Bible. For example, read about the apparition of a woman clothed with the sun in Revelation chapter 12.

This is not an easy read, because the author makes a marked attempt to be brief. I got the feeling, as I was reading, that I was barely scraping the surface of a huge topic. Readers: before you dig into the book, take a peek at pages 186 and 187, which show five major eras of time, from the creation of angels to the millennial reign. These eras are further broken down into fourteen different cycles, where each cycle goes through the four stages of peace, sin, judgement, and revival. You will want to refer back to this chart as you read, so that you can get your bearing with each topic Utinger introduces. I discovered the chart about halfway through my reading, and things began to fall into place with that visual, making the rest of the book easier to comprehend.

From my perspective, I think the book is fun, and filled with interesting tidbits, but I can’t get behind the theology … or any theology which treats the Bible like a divine puzzle to be solved more than a collection of human experiences grasping toward God. Read it for an interesting perspective of salvation history, and decide for yourself.

[Teena Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ulrich Utiger the author believes that all history of salvation as transmitted by the Bible reveals its through cyclical recurrences.
It's almost as if a single author is responsible for penning all of its books. These cycles generally have four phases: initial peace,
sin, judgment, and a return to peace. The history of the Jewish people exemplifies this. Awareness of these patterns helps us understand the past, present and future of salvation. It may seem that science and faith cannot agree but
if we can understand this cyclical concept it can explain mysteries
and discrepancies.

For instance, Creationism and Evolution seem to be at odds. Utiger delves into explaining a more in-depth understanding of the creation accounts, including the interpretation of the meaning of the Hebrew language in which is was written. This deeper understanding closes the gap on contradictions.

Utiger goes into painstaking detail and has a firm understanding of science, physics as well as knowledge of the scriptures. He presents a logical argument. This book would probably be best suited more to scholastic types, especially those with a passion for science. It might be a bit of an intellectual stretch for the average lay person who may feel as though they are reaching on tip toe for something on the top shelf. But if you like an intellectual challenge, this is a good choice.
Well written, and well argued. I give this five out of five stars.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has three parts and I felt differently about each part.

I really enjoyed part one, The Creation of the Universe. It wasn't overly complicated and was fairly easy to read. I felt the author put forth his belief very effectively and supported it throughout.

For part two, Salvation History, I think that my biblical knowledge was not great enough for me to really understand and follow where the author was trying to lead me. I think that a second reading of this part may be in order. It will still be a tough read when I do, but it being the second time around and perhaps referring back to scripture as I read it may help.

As for part three, Mary and the Holy Spirit, I just could never get into it and found my self skimming over it to just get through. I may revisit part three at some point, but not in the near future. I'm not saying this as being against Marian Apparitions, it just that I couldn't understand the explanations and references he was giving regarding Mary. Other readers may find it perfectly clear, but I didn't.

Overall, I'd get it just to read part one. I've read other books on that subject and feel that the author's belief and support was as strong as any. I'll update this after I reread part two, eventually anyway, but don't hold your breath for part three.

[Robert Federline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: This book was supplied by the author for free in exchange for a review.

Ulrich Utiger is a scientist and brings a fresh and refreshing viewpoint to the debate on understanding the world through the book of Genesis vs. the use of science as we understand it today. His background as a scientist is obvious and he makes convincing arguments and explanations of how Genesis by be understood and interpreted through the lens of science. The first half of the book which is devoted to this issue is excellent and easily deserves 5 stars. In this portion of the book he is obviously writing from his strengths and presents his case clearly and compellingly.

The theology which he later presents is not always sound, however, and must be carefully examined. For example, he posits that Jesus did not see his mother for some time, because of the absence of discussion of that relationship in the Scriptures. In fact, there are many things that are not discussed in the Scriptures which did, in fact, happen. On some of these issues, therefore, he is not strictly orthodox in his theology, and such discussions must be read with care and soe degree of skepticism.

That said, the first part of the book is truly excellent and a good read. The balance, however, must be carefully read and should not be accepted at face value.

[Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Feedback: Although this is in the non fiction genre and also about religion, I would not label it a dry read. I was impressed by the comparisons made and the author's division of the scripture. This may not be the view of the majority but it will and shall open the door of discussion. A good pick for those studying the bible.

Voice: The author obviously put a lot of thought and research into this and it shows along with his enthusiasm for the subject matter.

Plot: Being a non fiction book it is more about information than plot. With that said the information is well thought out and researched.

Pacing: Although I appreciate the information and was interested in the point of view I thought that it did seem to drag a bit.

Continuity: The subject is covered clearly and concisely and the author only leaves questions that have purpose in opening more discussion.

[Ulrich Utiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my own book, which offers solutions to old biblical inconsistencies.