and if Christ did not exist then how come he is dated
2006-12-12 09:02:44 · 28 answers · asked by jamnjims 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
~before christ~
&
anno domini
2006-12-12 09:09:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey dude, nice avatar!!
B.C. refers to 'Before Christ', and A.D. refers to 'Anno Domini', which means 'In the year of our Lord' or there-abouts.
The zero point was originally intended to be the birth of Christ, however that date doesn't even match with the historical events in the Bible. Most scholars put the birth of Christ, if he did exist, at about 3 or 4 B.C.
I've always wondered why the calendar puts Christmas near the end of December, but not the very end (or beginning). You'd think that if the calendar was based on Christ's birth, it would start with the day after his birth - making that the first New Year.
Of course, the calendar itself is borrowed from earlier Roman calendars. And those started in the spring, not January. Everything's been reset a few times. Oh yeah, and there was a major correction in the 18th century when they added leap years to keep things on track.
Most non-Biblical scholars use the terms B.C.E. and C.E. instead - refering to Before Common Era and Common Era. It's a lot less confusing. Well, sort of.
2006-12-12 17:12:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
B.C. means before Christ, A.D. means Anno Domini (year of the Lord).
The year of Jesus Christ's birth was calculated in the Middle Ages by a monk, so this is why there is a difference of four years between the Nativity year in our calendar and in reality. Until then, Christians used the Jewish calendar which counted years from the Creation of the world, and didn't care much about the exact year, as they didn't care much about the exact date of Jesus' birth.
2006-12-15 22:05:57 · answer #3 · answered by todaywiserthanyesterday 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
B.C. means Before Christ. It is based on an inaccurate dating of the supposed birth of Christ.
B.C.E. means Before Common Era. It is a secularized version of the same date, chosen in order to present dates in a fashion which would A: not offend those who do not believe in Christ, and B: Preserve the popular dating system in a way that would not require the rewriting of so many different texts, and cause people to need to learn a completely different form of calendar.
A.D. means Anno Domini, or "Year of the Lord". Its beginning coincides with the ending of B.C.
A.D. coincides with C.E. or Common Era. Again, this is merely a secularized version which is used to separate history from religion.
2006-12-12 17:10:47 · answer #4 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus Christ did exist and is a proven historical figure. He is mentioned in many non-Biblical texts.
The fact that He is God in the flesh is why the Christian Calender uses His first coming to mark time. BC - Before Christ, AD - Anno Domini is latin for the the year of Our Lord
2006-12-12 17:09:47 · answer #5 · answered by nildesperandum777 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before Christ and Anno Domino is Latin "in the year of the Lord"
When Pope Gregory got the calendar set up it was better than the Julian calendar because leap year was added. So it was started at the point of Christ's birth because that was a turning point in the world. (although some will argue Jesus was born in 4BC like that would make a huge difference. geesch!)
Some dumbies are trying to call it BCE Before the Common Era which makes even less sense.. time is all relative anyways :-)
2006-12-12 17:11:24 · answer #6 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Before Christ and After Christ, unfortunately someone read the calender wrong so AD occurs about the time Jesus was 6 years old.
2006-12-12 17:20:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
B.C. is Before Christ, and A.D. is short for the Latin, Anno Domini, which means "Year of our Lord." The more modern terms (as well as politically correct terms) are "C.E." for Current Era, and "B.C.E." meaning Before Current Era.
2006-12-12 17:09:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
B.C=Before Christ (Before Christ's birth)
A.D=Anno Domini=The year of our Lord.(The years after Jesus was born)
2006-12-12 17:08:14 · answer #9 · answered by Serena 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
B.C. = Before Christ
A.D. = Anno Domini which means in the year of the Lord
2006-12-12 17:06:33 · answer #10 · answered by A follower of Christ 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I didn't see the questioner say that BC, AD prove anything. He was saying that Jesus has made too big an impact on the world to be a myth. There is other evidence. A very good one is found in:
Psalms 22:12-18
Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Just so you don't just popo this it was written by David the King 900 years BC/BCE
I feel very fortunate to be here in 2006 CE/AD In the year of the Lord to tell you about my King, my God, my Lord... Jesus Christ... Jim
2006-12-12 17:44:58 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋