Some of my posts refer to dates, often for events that happened in Old Testament times. I use the International Standard dating system preferred by archaeologists and historians rather than the sectarian historical dating system in many churches.
So…
What on earth is BCE and CE?
For many in the Western world, history is traditionally divided into two eras: Before Christ (BC) and Anno Domini (AD). (Anno domini is the Latin for “the Year of Our Lord”). This division is widely recognised, regardless of religious belief or affiliation.
The system was devised by Dionysius Exiguus. He was a sixth-century monk who created it not to anchor historical events, but to calculate the date of Easter. Dionysius was unaware of Islam—he died 25 years before the birth of Muhammad. He gave little attention to Chinese or Indian dating systems. His goal was to replace the Roman imperial method, which reset with each new ruler, with a timeline centred on the Incarnation of Christ.
It wasn’t until the eighth century that the system gained traction, thanks to the Venerable Bede, who adopted it for historical writing. Since then, this Christian-based chronology has shaped historical, ecclesiastical, and academic records for over a millennium.
However, the BC/AD historical dating system reflects a distinctly Christian worldview. It is, of course, offensive to Jews, who date history from when the Creation is supposed to have happened, and to Muslims, for whom Christ is merely the second most important prophet. It also rides roughshod over the sensibilities of Hindus, Buddhists, and the devotees of numerous religions across the East.
A more culturally-friendly approach
As early as 1615, Johannes Kepler used the term “Vulgar Era,” meaning “Common Era” in the sense of shared usage, not rudeness. By the 18th century, Jewish scholars began referring to the Christian Era (CE) and Before the Christian Era (BCE) in interfaith dialogue. These terms matched BC and AD chronologically but offered a more neutral tone.
In the 20th century, the terminology evolved further. Today, Common Era (CE) and Before Common Era (BCE) are widely used in academic, scientific, and interreligious contexts. They preserve the same dating structure while promoting cultural sensitivity and global understanding.
So that’s why dates on my posts follow the BCE/CE format. It aligns with the international standard and reflects a commitment to respectful, inclusive historical writing.
Written this 22nd Day of April, 2020 CE
