In the Bible, Bc and Ad are used to describe the time before and after the birth of Jesus Christ. Bc stands for ‘Before Christ’ and Ad stands for ‘Anno Domini’ which is Latin for ‘in the year of Our Lord’.
From a Christian point of view there is no debate that Jesus is the son of God and the birth of Jesus is seen as the culmination of the Old Testament and a new start for man’s relationship with God. Since his birth it is thought to have marked the beginning of a new generation and new dispensation of revelation and grace.
In Christian tradition the birth of Jesus is known as a time of great joy but it’s also a time of great tragedy. In order to bring about the new birth (or resurrection), the old had to be gone. This is reflected in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said ‘the old shall be gone and the new shall come’.
The use of Bc and Ad is popularly thought of as being a Christian invention, and it is widely used throughout the world as the official way of tracking time and dating historical events. However, it is important to understand that it is in fact a blend of Jewish calendar timekeeping and Roman timekeeping. The Jewish Days are dated differently to the Roman Calendar and so it has been blended to suit both.
Not all cultures follow the two eras of Bc and Ad. Islamic cultures for instance use the lunar Hijra calendar and according to the Hijra calendar, Mohammed’s flight from Mecca to Medina marked the beginning of a new era for Muslims. Other calendars such as the Chinese calendar provide a more suitable way of recording traditional events in Chinese society.
From a theological standpoint, Bc and Ad are reminders of how Jesus changed the world. It is an acknowledgment of his supreme role in the history of mankind. The Bible also serves to give us an accurate account of the events in Jesus’ life, his ministry, and the history of his followers.
Scriptural Evidence
Scripturally Bc and Ad are not found anywhere in the bible. It is an invention of man, not God. Therefore, it is not to be taken as anything but an artificial way of keeping time. It is important to understand that Bc and Ad are not recognized by scripture and should never be used as an authoritative reference on matters of faith or doctrine.
The Bible does however provide us with ample evidence about the significance of Jesus. In the old testament, Isaiah 9:6 prophesied of the coming of Jesus and how his birth would bring peace to the world, and in the new testament Jesus speaks of His own divinity and mission in many of His parables.
In modern Christianity, Bc and Ad are generally accepted as useful ways of measuring time and providing a reference point for calendar dates. Many Christian denominations use Bc and Ad in their weekly readings and prayer books.
Conclusion
Bc and Ad are not found anywhere in the Bible although the Bible does contain references to Jesus and his life, ministry, and resurrection. It is important to note that Bc and Ad are a man-made invention and not to be interpreted as an authoritative theological reference. However, many Christians have adopted them as a useful way of measuring time and as a reference point for calendar dates.
Political Ramifications
The concept of Bc and Ad has also had great political ramifications and is seen as a symbol of Christian cultural dominance. For example, in Europe, Ad was adopted by the King of Spain who used it to show that Spain had become a Christian nation. Similarly in the United States, Bc and Ad are used to mark the Founding Fathers’ desire that the nation be based on Christian principles.
The adoption of Bc and Ad has also been an important way of measuring progress. It has been used to show the advances in technology, medicine and entertainment as well show how far we have come in developing our understanding and relations with other cultures.
Finally, although it is a man-made convention, Bc and Ad have become increasingly important in the development of modern society. Through the idea and standardization of a universal measure of time, we now have a way of accurately measuring progress and understanding our past.
Social Implications
The use of Bc and Ad has also had tremendous social implications. In Christian society, Bc and Ad are seen as an authoritative way of generating collective understanding and a sense of unity. For example, the Jewish calendar highlights the important events in Jewish history such as Passover and Sukkoth whereas Bc and Ad are used to display the life and death of Jesus Christ.
In modern society, Bc and Ad have also become a useful way of connecting to the past. It has provided the West with a sense of identity, in that it allows us to look back and acknowledge our ancestors’ successes and failures. It also allows us to better understand our place in history and serve as a reminder that in order for us to know where we are headed, we must understand where we have been.
From a global perspective, Bc and Ad have become a powerful symbol of inclusivity and diversity. It has been used to bridge the differences in opinion, culture, and religion between different societies. The concept of Bc and Ad has created a common language that is understood across the world.
Contemporary Challenges
Despite its successes, Bc and Ad have been met with some criticism in the modern world. Many in the Rastafarian and Afrocentric faith argue that the use of Bc and Ad does not accurately reflect how different societies measure time. In addition, some critics argue that the use of Bc and Ad can be seen to propagate Christian theology, and by extension, inequalities.
Another criticism is that Bc and Ad are too rigid and do not provide a large enough window to understand the development of different societies. Critics argue that the use of Bc and Ad can be too simplistic and limit our understanding of different stages of a society’s development. For example, the sheer period of time a society spends in the Ad period can negate the gradual changes that a society experiences over time.
In an effort to address these criticisms, many have called for a more flexible system of measurement. These systems would seek to account for different cultures, societies and timelines in order to give a more complete account of the world’s history.
Contemporary Solutions
In order to respond to the critiques of Bc and Ad, some scholars have proposed new ways of measuring time. One popular alternative is the Western Christian Calendar (WCC). Unlike Bc and Ad, the WCC disregards the Biblical timeline, and instead places emphasis on the interlocking of different societies, cultures and ideologies.
In addition to the WCC, there are a number of other alternatives such as the Indian Cosmic Calendar and the Hindu Spiritual Calendar. These systems provide a more comprehensive view of time and can be used to accurately trace the development of different societies, cultures and beliefs.
Another solution is the adoption of international time systems such as the International Date Line or the Gregorian Calendar. These time systems provide a unified way of measuring time and provide all countries with a common reference point when discussing history and international events.
Ultimately, the choice of a timekeeping measure will ultimately depend on the context and objectives of a particular society or culture. Some may choose to use Bc and Ad, others may opt for an alternative, and still others may decide to adopt multiple systems. Regardless of the choice, it is important to be aware of the complexities of timekeeping and to always be mindful of the implications of any chosen system.
