To believers who have noticed a disconcerting distortion of Christianity's ideals of love and charity, Daniel Mahoney's “The Idol of Our Age” may be a godsend.
The book, which was published last December, addresses the problem of secular humanitarianism and its effect on the Church's thinking about divine mercy and Christian charity. “The Idol of Our Age” has been widely reviewed, somewhat–though not entirely–to the author's surprise. In an interview, Mahoney said the book has resonated with Christians in Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical circles who were aware of the problem he diagnoses but hadn't put a name to it.
“I sensed that there was real discontent in thoughtful Orthodox-minded Christian circles about this increasing conflation of the Christian religion with a humanitarian political agenda, reducing Christianity to simply a project to promote left-wing social justice and pacifism, and, I think, a deeply problematic interpretation of the Gospels,” Mahoney said.
It seems unusual that “The Idol of Our Age” would resonate with Christians of such varying beliefs, but perhaps this speaks to the widespread effects of the religion of humanity. To understand the themes that most resonate with readers, it is helpful to examine the many reviews this book has received. Reviews often emphasize Mahoney's explanation of love according to humanitarianism versus Christian love and charity, particularly in his critique of Pope Francis.
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