Changes

In deciding how to synchronize the [[Christian]] or ''[[Anno Domini]]'' era with an era using [[Creation]] itself as its [[epoch]], Ussher chose the death of [[Nebuchadnezzar II]] as the anchor point and worked backward from that date through the Bible. Thus he calculated the date of Creation as equivalent to the sunset that preceded 23 October, 4004 BC. So influential was Ussher that for centuries his chronology was included in every printed edition of the [[King James Version]] of the Bible.

In deciding how to synchronize the [[Christian]] or ''[[Anno Domini]]'' era with an era using [[Creation]] itself as its [[epoch]], Ussher chose the death of [[Nebuchadnezzar II]] as the anchor point and worked backward from that date through the Bible. Thus he calculated the date of Creation as equivalent to the sunset that preceded 23 October, 4004 BC. So influential was Ussher that for centuries his chronology was included in every printed edition of the [[King James Version]] of the Bible.

Regardless, Ussher's calculations were somewhat accurate, and the roughly 6000 year age of the world has been built upon by more recent scholarship and backed up by recent scientific research in [[creation science]].

Regardless, Ussher's calculations were somewhat accurate, and the roughly 6,000 year age of the world has been built upon by more recent scholarship and backed up by recent scientific research in [[creation science]].<ref name="Faulkner2016">Faulkner, Danny R. (July 20, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/bible-history/comments-on-usshers-date-of-creation/ Comments on Ussher’s Date of Creation]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 27, 2018.</ref> Although many young Earth creationists do not believe that Ussher's specific October 23, 4004 BC date of creation is accurate,<ref name="Faulkner2016"/> they recognize him as a competent and knowledgeable scholar who had a high view of Scripture and believe that a rough date of creation around 4000 BC is accurate.<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/bible-history/archbishop-james-ussher-blundered-or-brilliant/ Archbishop James Ussher—Blundered or Brilliant?] ''Answers in Genesis''. March 19, 2004. Retrieved January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018.</ref><ref>Ham, Ken (August 15, 2011). [https://answersingenesis.org/media/audio/answers-with-ken-ham/volume-98/james-ussher-date-creation/ James Ussher—and the date of creation!] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 27, 2018.</ref>

=== Objections ===

=== Objections ===

The obvious objections that secular historians have against Ussher's chronology (or any similar chronology) follow from their notion that the earth is 4.6 billion years old and not merely six thousand or so years old. That, however, is a [[circular reasoning|circular argument]], as the notion of a 4.6-billion-year-old Earth is based on a prior rejection of the Biblical account.

The obvious objections that secular historians have against Ussher's chronology (or any similar chronology) follow from their notion that the earth is 4.6 billion years old and not merely six thousand or so years old. That, however, is a [[circular reasoning|circular argument]], as the notion of a 4.6-billion-year-old Earth is based on a prior rejection of the Biblical account.

The Biblical objections to Ussher's particular chronology significantly more minor, though several of them exist. They turn on Ussher's interpretation of certain passages, such as {{Bible ref|book=Galatians|chap=3|verses=17|version=NASB}} and {{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=4|verses=5|version=NASB}}, that separate certain key events in Hebrew history. Happily, Ussher left copious notes detailing his methods and his arguments. Today [[Larry Pierce]],<ref>[[Larry Pierce|Pierce, Larry]], "The Forgotten Archbishop," Appendix B of James Ussher, ''[[The Annals of the World]],'' Larry and Marion Pierce, eds., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pp. 891-2, ISBN 0890513600</ref> who undertook to translate the ''Annals'' into English from their original [[Latin]], has prepared vigorous defenses of Ussher and his work. While not all of Ussher's calculations might be able to stand (see [[Biblical chronology dispute]] for details), his notes at least inform modern readers of the basis of his calculations and enable them to construct a Biblical corrective.

The Biblical objections to Ussher's particular chronology significantly more minor, though several of them exist.<ref name="Faulkner2016"/> They turn on Ussher's interpretation of certain passages, such as {{Bible ref|book=Galatians|chap=3|verses=17|version=NASB}} and {{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=4|verses=5|version=NASB}}, that separate certain key events in Hebrew history. Happily, Ussher left copious notes detailing his methods and his arguments. Today [[Larry Pierce]],<ref>[[Larry Pierce|Pierce, Larry]], "The Forgotten Archbishop," Appendix B of James Ussher, ''[[The Annals of the World]],'' Larry and Marion Pierce, eds., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003, pp. 891-2, ISBN 0890513600</ref> who undertook to translate the ''Annals'' into English from their original [[Latin]], has prepared vigorous defenses of Ussher and his work. While not all of Ussher's calculations might be able to stand (see [[Biblical chronology dispute]] for details), his notes at least inform modern readers of the basis of his calculations and enable them to construct a Biblical corrective.

==== The Divided Kingdoms: How Long Was Their History? ====

==== The Divided Kingdoms: How Long Was Their History? ====