@ericsentell

My favorite historical figure is Jesus. He influenced the world so much, yet we know so little about him. Two billion people claim to be Christian, and apart from the Bible, hardly a neutral source, we have only a few brief mentions in the historical record to know anything about him. His historial context is essential to understanding most of what the Bible claims he said and did, making for fascinating explorations that inform my faith and spirituality.

Yes, we can judge the past with today's lens, mainly because we have little choice considering we live in "today." How can we look back on history without bringing our own experiences, perspectives, and paradigms? The definition of "judge" may be key. If by "judge," we mean passing moral judgment, then our judgments should be tempered by realism. It's not fair to expect, say, an ancient Israelite to buck the patriarchy. But we can argue the failings of patriarchy in ancient Israel.

Thanks for your consideration!