Biblical Period Dating Systems
Why Don't they Agree?
The Two Major Conflicting Types of Bible Dating Systems
The divisive issue is belief in Scripture! The Bible contains many statements of authorship and many references to dated events, nations, kings, etc. Very good dating is generally well supported directly from the pages of Scripture. Generally accepted systematic dating of biblical period events has been established by Ussher in 1658, and was not broadly disputed by secular interests until 1878.
The conflict arises from unbelieving "scholars" who have gone to great pains to provide, develop, and perpetuate an alternate dating scheme which allows for the denial of miracles and prophecies, and generally discredit authorships. This system of dating requires denial of scriptural inerrancy and even the denial of general scriptural honesty.
Unfortunatly, both systems are included in popular Bible Dictionaries and Bible Encyclopedias, saying things like "we now know", "some believe", or "modern scholarship shows" without bothering to point out that this "new understanding" is in direct conflict with what Scripture says internally.
Those who DO NOT Believe the Bible
The attack on biblical dating is based in an attack on biblical authorship, which generally started with Julius Wellhausen in 1878. His work has come to be called the "documentary hypothesis", or "critical dating", and is most infamous for replacing Moses' authorship of the pentateuch 4,000 years ago, with generic authors refered to as J, E, D, and P, who wrote from the 2,500 - 2,900 years ago. This would put the writing of the Law during the Kingdom age.
Also under attack is the Book of Daniel, written in Babylonian captivity by Daniel, the book has a geat deal of prophecy which was fulfilled in world history in very obvious ways. Critical dating mandates a much later date for the authorship of Daniel, so that the "prophecies" may be be dismissed as fradulant.
The litmus test then, of a reference book such as a Bible dictionary or Bible encyclopedia can be the dating of the books of Genesis and Daniel. Genesis should be from about 1400 B.C., NOT 500 BC and Daniel should be from about 500-600 BC, NOT 160 BC!
Proponets of counter-biblical dating
Harper's Bible Dictionary - Clearly promote critical (secular) dates for both
Genesis and Daniel.
The Zondervan Pictorial Encylopeida of the Bible (5 Vol) - Clearly promote critical dates for Genesis, but does accept the conservative (biblical) dating for Daniel, referencing archeological refutation for the critical dating of Daniel.
There are many others - next time you're in a Christian bookstore or library, pick up a Bible dictionary and see what it says about Genesis or Daniel!
Those who DO Believe the Bible
Those who depend upon the words of Scripture to establish dates and authors also vary to a significant degree, especially for the earliest points of reference. I have seen conservative dates from 4,000 to 10,000 BC for the creation account, with variance relative to these end-dates for other events recorded in Genesis.
The point of historical accountability is really from the time of Abraham forward. Before this time, we're basically working backwards, guessing years based on generations and references to names of people or cities. After the time of Abraham, dates seem fairly uniform. Ranges for the life of Christ also span a few years of variance. Just remember that 2 years 2,000 years ago is a variance of 1/10 of a percent. Also think about this, the United States has only existed just over 200 years and if we're talking about 4,000 years, that's 20 times the lifespan of our country! Bottom line - some variance is to be expected.
Probably the most significant chronological framework based on biblical accounts is from the work of James Ussher (1581-1656). Ussher was Archbishop of Armagh who's dates were published in King James Version Bibles for many years. It is his dating system which has been, and still is, the defacto standard for conservative Christians, including both Catholics and Protestants.
Some proponets of biblical dating
The Annals of the World - by James Ussher (1658)
Unger's Bible Dictionary - Probably the best Bible Dictionary out there - Listen to this quote from the entry on Genesis, "This documentary theory...is based on false literary criteria, unsound philosophic presuppositions, and a manifest enmity against the miraculous and the prophetic elements that constitute the foundation of the Pentateuch."
Talk Thru the Bible aka The Bible Handbook by Wikinson & Boa
The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Walvoord & Zuck
New Testament History by F.F. Bruce
Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ by Harold Hoehner
So Which Dates do I Use?
Personally, I use the books I've listed above as my primary sources, and recommend them.
Here is the table which I have put together for the general date periods - it is not detailed, but gives the basic chronological framework:
General Dateline of Bible Periods (Table)
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