The AD and BC era designations are no longer commonly used. AD stands forAnno Domini, Latin for “in the year of the lord.” It indicates years after the estimated birth of Jesus Christ. BC stands for “Before Christ” and indicates years before Jesus’ birth. Today, many prefer to use the religiously neutral BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) designations instead.
History of BC/AD
The AD/BC dating system was created in the 6th century by a monk named Dionysius Exiguus. He wanted to establish a standard chronology for Easter and proposed counting years based on Jesus’ birth. However, his calculations were a few years off, so Jesus was likely born around 6-4 BC rather than 1 AD.
Despite the small error, the BC/AD system spread quickly in Europe and became the standard for historians, scientists and others who needed a unified chronology. BC denoted years “before Christ” and AD “anno domini” or “in the year of our lord.”
This Christian-centric system was adopted in Western society, even as the Gregorian calendar became the standard. However, with globalization and growing secularization, concerns arose in the 20th century about the appropriateness of a religious-based dating system.
Introduction of BCE/CE
In the late 1990s, the use of BCE (“before the common era”) and CE (“common era”) started becoming more popular. BCE and CE serve the same purpose as BC and AD, but without direct religious overtones.
The key events and dates are the same. Jesus’ birth still marks the transition from BCE to CE, but the nomenclature is religiously neutral. In BCE, CE the “common era” begins at year 1, just as in AD. The year 500 BCE coincides with 500 BC and 2023 CE with AD 2023.
BCE/CE initially became popular in academic circles, but over the last two decades it has become increasingly common in general publications and discourse. Major style guides like AP Style and Chicago Manual of Style now recommend the use of BCE/CE over BC/AD. Of course, some Christian publications and authors continue using BC/AD.
Usage of BCE/CE
When using the BCE/CE conventions, it’s important to note:
- The year numbering is identical in the BCE/CE and BC/AD systems.
- “BCE” always precedes the year (e.g. 400 BCE not BCE 400)
- “CE” always follows the year (e.g. 1967 CE not CE 1967)
- There is no year zero between BCE and CE. 1 BCE is followed by 1 CE.
Some key date equivalencies to remember are:
| 2000 BCE | 2000 BC |
| 1000 BCE | 1000 BC |
| 1 BCE | 1 BC |
| 1 CE | 1 AD |
| 500 CE | 500 AD |
As the universal neutral dating standard, BCE/CE is recommended for most writing and publications. However, BC/AD remains valid in some contexts, particularly for Christian audiences. The key is using dates consistently within any given text. Avoid mixing BC/AD and BCE/CE in the same piece.
Advantages of the BCE/CE system
There are several motivations for using the BCE/CE conventions rather than the traditional BC/AD:
Religious neutrality
BCE/CE is religiously neutral and so is preferred in academic, scientific, and interfaith contexts. BC/AD is Christian-centric, which some argue is inappropriate for such discussions.
Inclusiveness
With globalization, the traditional BC/AD is seen by some as too focused on Western Christianity. BCE/CE acknowledges non-Christian cultures and histories.
Avoiding confusion
In international contexts, the meaning of BC/AD is sometimes unclear. BCE/CE has the advantage of clarity.
Simplicity
BCE/CE is a bit simpler grammatically than BC/AD in sentences. For example, “The year 400 BCE” flows better than “The year 400 before Christ.”
Disadvantages and debates
Arguments against using BCE/CE include:
Loss of tradition
Some resent the rejection of the traditional Christian-based BC/AD used for 1000+ years. Others counter that tradition alone is insufficient grounds for preserving conventions.
Inaccuracy
BCE/CE implies a secular “common era” distinct from the traditionally Christian dating. But the common era is defined by the birth of Christ. Some believe the logic is flawed.
Year 1 issue
There is no satisfactory non-Christian event to mark the transition from BCE to CE in year 1. Proposals like the founding of Rome (753 BCE) have not gained traction.
Neutrality concerns
While BCE/CE is religiously neutral in form, it retains the Christ-centered numbering. Advocates of religious neutrality argue the date system should be overhauled entirely.
Conclusion
The BCE/CE conventions offer a simple, inclusive, and religiously-neutral alternative to the traditional BC/AD dating. Though some debate continues, BCE/CE has gained wide acceptance and is the recommended choice for most academic and secular publications. BCE/CE works well for both Christian and interfaith audiences in our globalized world.