The Christianization of Time (January 7th, AD 2022)

 

On the Christianization of Time

By Pastor Terry L. Reese, Valley GBC of Armagh

 

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son…”—Gal. 4:4

 

Many people have questions regarding the traditional manner in which Time has come to be reckoned and are confused by the variety of designations that are currently associated with the dating of years.

 

The traditional BC/AD convention employed for the dating of years arose when the monk Dionysius Exiguus (c. 470–c. 544) developed a new system of chronology, numbering years with reference to the Birth of Christ. He did so in the conviction that this unique act of God was the axis-event—i.e., turning point—of the Ages. Popularized by a great early medieval scholar, the Venerable Bede (c. 672-735), and adopted by Emperor Charlemagne, this system soon became the standard for of all of Christendom—and ultimately, with the dominating influence Western Culture, for most of the rest of the world as well. The term BC means “Before Christ,” whereas the abbreviation AD represents the Latin phrase “anno Domini,” meaning “in the Year of our Lord.”

 

Dating time in this manner assumes several key propositions:

1.) Jesus is the CHRIST, or Messiah (“Before CHRIST”);

2.) Jesus is LORD (“In the Year of our LORD”);

3.) Jesus’ birth is the central dividing-line of history that radically separates all that came-before from all that came-after. 

 

Sadly, in this day-and-age of rabid secularism and advancing political correctness, such a convention has undergone strong challenges in recent years. In recent years, it has become conventional in both domestic and international circles to employ the initials BCE (“Before Common Era”) and CE (“Common Era”). This less “offensive” designation has now become the standard in many academic, cultural, and media centers throughout the world. News organizations, textbooks, museums—and even some nominal “Christian” groups—have jumped upon the Common Era Bandwagon in an attempt to demonstrate an alleged “cultural sensitivity” and “de-Christianize” Time.

 

Despite the World’s best efforts, however, Jesus Christ is still God’s Messiah, still the Sovereign Lord over Time & Eternity, and still stands as the Author and Ultimate Purpose behind all things (Col. 1:16)! 

Interesting Facts on the Numbering of Years

v  Historically, there have been alternate methods of dating time other than from the focal point of Christ’s Birth (BC/AD).

v  The Jewish Calendar dates time from the Creation of the World (A.M., or Anno Mundi), as calculated by Rabbi Moses Maimonides (12^th cent. AD). Hence, AD 2022=AM 5782.

v  The Islamic Calendar dates years from the flight (Hegira) of Muhammed from Mecca to Medina in AD 622. Thus, time is reckoned AH (“in the year of the Hegira”) or BH (“before the Hegira”). Hence, AD 2022 corresponds to AH 1443.

 

v  Today’s Common Era system (BCE/CE) is not the first modern secular attempt to de-Christianize Time. The radicals of the French Revolution instituted a national calendar that dated years from the founding of their Republic (thus, AD 1792 was “Year I”). This calendar also instituted a 10-day week—in defiance of the Divinely instituted 7-day week of Gen. 1 & Ex. 20:8-11. Thus, laborers were expected to work for 9 days before having an off-day! Wisely, Napoleon discarded this inane scheme in 1805.

 

v  Some speculate that Dan. 7:25 may refer to a disruptive upcoming calendar change made by the Antichrist during Tribulation.