Understanding the Evolution of AD and BC: From The Year of Our Lord to Common Era

When discussing historical or religious contexts, you might still come across the terms AD and BC, which have been used to denote years in the Gregorian calendar for centuries. However, in recent years, these terms have faced challenges due to their perceived biases towards Christianity. As a result, alternative terms such as CE and BCE have gained popularity, offering a more neutral and inclusive approach. Let's explore the history and evolution of these dating conventions.

The Early Adoption of AD and BC

In early times, dating events was a simpler process. Kings and rulers were often used as reference points, as seen in the gospels where events are recorded relative to the reign of a particular leader. For instance, there is a reference to the governor Quirinius in Luke's gospel, indicating the relative dating of events during his tenure.

Naming events relative to kings was practical for contemporary records but lacked context for the broader timeline. Before records became more widespread, the focus was primarily on recent events, with ancient history often shrouded in the phrase "a long, long time ago."

The Birth of the Christian Dating System

It was in the context of organized Christianity that our current dating system was born. A monk in a monastery, believed to be Dionysius Exiguus in the late 6th century, suggested dating events from the birth of Christ. This new system designated the specific year as the "Year of the Lord" (AD).

Although Christ was likely born many years earlier, the dating system was established centuries later. This monk then went on to label events by counting the number of years since Christ's birth.

The Emergence of CE and BCE

As global awareness and diversity have grown, the terms AD and BC have faced criticism for their perceived religious bias. In response, scholars and secular societies have adopted the terms CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before Common Era) as more inclusive alternatives.

CE is directly aligned with AD, while BCE corresponds to BC. Both systems are used interchangeably, but the choice of term often depends on the audience and context.

The Transition from AD/BC to CE/BCE

Recently, our scholarly communities have shifted from using AD and BC to avoid terms that could be considered derogatory to those of other faiths or to those with no religious affiliation. Instead of saying the current year is AD 2023, it is now referred to as CE 2023. Similarly, for historical events, 2000 BC is now written as 2000 BCE.

Conclusion

The transition from AD and BC to CE and BCE reflects a growing need for inclusivity and neutrality in historical and religious contexts. While the change may seem small, it represents a significant shift in how we perceive and discuss our shared human history.

As we continue to move forward, it is crucial to recognize the evolution of these dating systems and the importance of using language that respects diverse perspectives.