Apples of Gold
Radio Script for September 10, 2008
“B.C. Is Being Replaced By B.C.E.”
Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.
So has it dawned on you yet that B.C. is being replaced by B.C.E.?
And that A.D. is being replaced by C.E.?
B.C. stands for “before Christ.” For example, we say that Aristotle died in 322 B.C.
A.D. stands for anno domini, which is Latin for “in the year of our Lord.”
That’s probably what you grew up saying, B.C. and A.D.
But the wind has shifted, and in a generation or two no one will be saying B.C. or A.D.
Why not? Because they refer to Jesus Christ.
Well, we can’t have that, can we? So the change has been made, and it’s slowly taking over.
Now think about it. This is a nation that couldn’t switch from miles to kilometers. We just didn’t have the heart for it.
But to remove the reference to Christ in our calendar? Oh yes, we definitely have the heart for this one.
Now what if you tried to remove the reference to Julius Caesar from the calendar? That means calling July something else. Who would have the heart for that? Who would even care?
Or the reference to Augustus Caesar. Well, we can’t change August because my birthday’s in August.
And besides, those were powerful people in history and it’s nice to recognize them.
But this Jesus, no, no, no. Get Him out of there.
“But it’s religious,” you say.
Oh, so we want to remove the reference to Christ because it’s religious?
Then what about Thursday? You know, the day named after Thor, the “god of thunder.” Isn’t that religious?
See, it can’t be about influence because Jesus was, and is, a powerful influence in the world, more than all the Caesars combined.
It can’t be about religion because we really don’t care about the other religious references.
So what is it? Why are we replacing the beautiful “Anno Domini” with the clunky “Common Era?”
I’ll tell you why. It’s because Jesus bothers people. Jesus gets under their skin.
See, we don’t care two hoots that Venus is named after a Roman goddess. It’s just the name of the planet and who cares?
But people care, and they care a lot, that B.C. stands for “before Christ.” They don’t want Christ anywhere in that equation. And even though it’s longer, and even though it’s less descriptive, brother we are going to start saying B.C.E.
Like I said, Jesus gets under people’s skin. He irritates people. Why is that?
It’s because Jesus is light, and the world is in darkness and they want to stay there.
It’s because Jesus reveals our sin and our need of a Savior.
It’s because Jesus shows us the way to God and we really don’t want to know because then we have to act on that knowledge.
First Peter 2:8 calls Jesus “…a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence…” (KJV)
He is a stone that makes men stumble and a rock that makes them fall.
First Corinthians 1:23 says, “…we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…”
Back to First Peter 2 – it says, “They stumble because they disobey the message…”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a powerful, life-changing message. Millions of people testify to the fact that the real and living Jesus has come into their life and changed them forever. He has forgiven their sins, cleansed their conscience, set them free, and given them hope.
On the other hand there are those who have rejected the message. And now listen. They may say that Jesus isn’t real, that He is just another made up god, like Thor or Venus or Jupiter.
But then how do you explain their animosity? If it’s just some made up thing, then why the urgency to remove Him from our calendar system?
I’ll tell you why. It’s because He is real and He is getting to them. And He has a spiritual foe, the Father of Lies, who is also getting to them. What else explains it?
Jesus – a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence.
But to us who believe He is the Light of Life.
So call it whatever you want. Let them do all they can to minimize Jesus Christ.
But as long as I’m alive you will still hear someone calling it B.C. and A.D.
Comments?
E-mail me: dougapple@wave94.com.
May God bless you today! With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.
© 2008 The Arrow’s Tip
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(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)
Why “The Arrow’s Tip”? Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold. Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.” I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.
Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 926-8000
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