Flawed Chronology That Prevents Accurate Bible Exposition by Dan Bruce
Dan Bruce’s Errors in Time is a bold, meticulously researched, and provocative work that challenges the conventional assumptions used in Bible chronology and prophetic exposition. With a tone both scholarly and pastoral, Bruce confronts long-held traditions in Christian and Jewish interpretive circles, arguing that flawed assumptions—especially about timekeeping—have led to serious interpretive errors in understanding key biblical prophecies. For anyone invested in biblical studies, especially those who take prophecy seriously, this book offers both a challenge and a corrective.
A Necessary Exposé
Bruce begins by making a fundamental claim: accurate exposition of time-specific passages in Scripture (especially in books like Daniel) requires a harmonization of sacred (biblical) and secular (historical) chronologies. He insists that when they are both rightly understood, they will align perfectly—because there is only one truth. However, he argues that modern chronologies used in seminaries and study Bibles are too often rooted in erroneous assumptions inherited from secular historians or flawed theological constructs. These include the use of 360-day “prophetic years,” the idea of 30-day Jewish months, and a 50-year Jubilee cycle, among others.
Bruce is unapologetic in calling out these “errors in time,” and he lays out a clear standard for correction: chronology must agree precisely with the biblical text while also aligning with historically verifiable events.
Deconstructing Common Assumptions
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its methodical examination of widespread but mistaken ideas. For example, Bruce thoroughly dismantles the notion that the Hebrew calendar consisted of twelve 30-day months—a foundational assumption behind many modern prophetic timelines. He walks readers through the lunar-based system of ancient Israel, showing how months were determined by the visible New Moon and alternated between 29 and 30 days. This, he contends, makes the popular “360-day prophetic year” invalid for biblical exposition. The origins of this idea are traced back to 19th-century theologians like Samuel Tregelles and Sir Robert Anderson, who Bruce argues were well-meaning but mistaken.
Similarly, Bruce critiques the use of a 50-year Jubilee cycle and instead provides evidence from Leviticus and historical practice that the Jubilee ran concurrently with the last year and first year of the next 49-year cycle, not as an additional separate year. The clarity and logic with which he presents his case—accompanied by charts and examples—is impressive, and even those inclined to disagree will have to wrestle with the strength of his arguments.
A Case for a Revised Chronology
The heart of the book is Bruce’s reconstruction of a biblical chronology based entirely on the sacred text and a reassessment of the key astronomical anchor used in modern timelines: the Bûr-Saggilê eclipse. Traditionally dated to 763 BCE, Bruce presents a compelling case that this eclipse was instead the eclipse that occurred in 791 BCE. He explains that anchoring the Assyrian Eponym Canon to the 791 BCE eclipse, instead of the standard 763 BCE date, produces a timeline that fits perfectly with the internal biblical chronology of the kings of Israel and Judah.
What follows is a detailed, side-by-side harmonization of the reigns of all the Hebrew kings, using what Bruce calls the New Hebrew Kings Chronology. The precision and care with which this timeline is constructed is noteworthy. Where scholars like Edwin Thiele attempted to harmonize discrepancies by proposing scribal errors or dual dating systems, Bruce argues that many of these inconsistencies vanish when the correct historical anchor is applied.
A Unique Voice with a High View of Scripture
Unlike many academic works, Errors in Time is not cold or merely technical. Bruce’s voice throughout is deeply committed to the authority and integrity of the biblical text. His frequent refrain—that the Bible must be the final arbiter of truth—is not just theological but methodological. He takes Sola Scriptura seriously, and it shapes his entire approach.
Moreover, he is not afraid to challenge the reputations of revered scholars. But he does so not to diminish their faith or motives, but to call attention to the unintended consequences of accepting flawed systems. His tone is firm but respectful, passionate but never polemical.
Limitations and Impact
Readers unfamiliar with biblical chronology or unversed in the technical details of calendar systems may find certain sections dense or challenging. However, Bruce provides ample context and explanation, and the inclusion of visual timelines and charts helps ground the arguments. More importantly, Bruce doesn’t just tear down—he builds. His revised chronology and methodology offer a way forward for expositors who are serious about biblical accuracy, especially those engaged in interpreting prophecy. While his views may not be immediately embraced by all scholars, they are well-researched, compelling, and worthy of consideration.
Conclusion
Errors in Time is an important and courageous contribution to the field of Bible chronology. Dan Bruce does more than point out mistakes—he offers a rigorous, faithful alternative grounded in Scripture and sound historical reasoning. For theologians, pastors, students, and lay readers who care about the integrity of biblical interpretation, this book is both a wake-up call and a roadmap. Whether you agree with all his conclusions or not, Bruce forces readers to ask: Are we letting flawed human assumptions distort the clear word of God? That question alone makes Errors in Time a book worth reading—and re-reading. It is a deeply researched and faithful challenge to traditional Bible chronology, with the potential to reshape how prophecy is understood.
Complete book available for free download here.