non linear time theory and multi-dimensional time-what's the difference

Recently, I became aware of multiple time theory and the elegant mathematical explanations that arise from that conceptually, the similarities and differences between changing time coordinates with conservation of change which go non-linear and multiple dimensions of time.
While attempting to put this together, it appears that the two are just a different perspective at first. but there are profound differences in the perspective. One example is that dimensions do not exist in non-linear time theory except as an expression of time and therefor relying on a tool such as multiple dimensional math to explain the phenomena suffers from the same lack of fundamental framework as attempting to rely on traditional quantum theory and space-time concepts.
Take for example the "steady-state" universe envisioned by multi dimensional time.  There are so many potential questions raised, but the one that has to be the most glaring (for NLT as well as all the others) is what existed before the steady state universe.  To "accept" is just "is" boggles the mind.  The "onion of existence" referred to previously is not peeled by any of the theories, including NLT which only takes us to an environment where non-linearity controls and perhaps einsteinian everything happening at onceism (there's a word for many things (but not necessarily everything) happening at once in english.
This environment is unimaginable to us as dimensional beings; but it is the one missing link common to multi-dimensional time theory and other space time theories.
So how are these reconciled?  Just wait!