In the context of the Bible, CE stands for Common Era. It is a modern, secular, and inclusive alternative to the traditional AD (Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of the Lord") dating system. While the term "CE" itself does not appear within the biblical texts, it is widely used by historians, archaeologists, and scholars when discussing events, people, and timelines related to the biblical narrative.
Understanding the Common Era
The Common Era (CE) is a dating system that shares the same starting point as the Anno Domini (AD) system. This means that "CE" and "AD" refer to the exact same years, providing a universally understood timeline for historical events, including those described in or related to the Bible.
- Common Era (CE): Refers to the period following the traditionally accepted birth year of Jesus Christ.
- Before the Common Era (BCE): Is the counterpart to CE, denoting years before the Common Era began. It is an alternative to BC (Before Christ).
Crucially, the two notation systems are numerically equivalent. For example:
- 2024 CE describes the same year as AD 2024.
- 400 BCE refers to the same year as 400 BC.
This equivalence ensures that regardless of which notation is used, the historical timeline remains consistent.
Why Use CE and BCE?
The adoption of CE and BCE has become common in academic, scientific, and interfaith contexts for several reasons:
- Inclusivity: Using "Common Era" avoids the explicit Christian theological reference inherent in "Anno Domini" ("in the year of the Lord") and "Before Christ." This makes the dating system more universally acceptable to people of all faiths and none, fostering a neutral and inclusive academic discourse.
- Secular Context: It provides a secular framework for dating historical events, which is particularly useful in fields like archaeology, history, and science, where discussions need to transcend specific religious perspectives.
- Clarity and Consistency: While the names differ, the underlying chronology remains identical, ensuring no confusion regarding the actual year being referenced.
CE and Biblical Chronology
When you encounter "CE" or "BCE" in studies or discussions about the Bible, it's typically in these contexts:
- Dating Biblical Events: Scholars might refer to the destruction of the Second Temple in "70 CE" or the life of Abraham around "2000 BCE" to place these events on a standard historical timeline.
- Historical Jesus Studies: Discussions about the life and ministry of Jesus often use "CE," such as referring to his crucifixion around "30 CE."
- Archaeological Discoveries: Findings related to biblical lands and periods are always dated using CE/BCE (e.g., a scroll dated to the 1st century BCE).
- Academic Texts: Textbooks, scholarly articles, and encyclopedias on biblical studies frequently employ CE/BCE for their dating.
Comparing Dating Systems
Here's a quick comparison of the two widely used dating systems:
| Traditional System | Alternative System | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC (Before Christ) | BCE (Before Common Era) | Years before the traditional start of the Christian era. | 500 BCE / 500 BC |
| AD (Anno Domini) | CE (Common Era) | Years after the traditional start of the Christian era. | 2024 CE / AD 2024 |
For further reading on the Common Era, you can refer to the Common Era on Wikipedia.
