The Religion of the Day

by University of Mary, Prime Matters, Jonathan Reyes (introduction)

(Sequel to From Christendom to Apostolic Mission) We are living in a highly religious age. Secular gospels and dogmatic faiths promising salvation are all around us. So what is the belief system, the religious vision, that is displacing Christianity as the assumed narrative by which our post-Christian, modern societies live? And what is the religion that we ourselves need to be converted out of, if we are to be fully converted to the Christian faith?

Genres: Religion, Theology, Catholic, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Faith

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2023

Reviews

[Nick Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man this is good stuff. I’m fired up.

“This is our time, this is the day the Lord has made, this is the age for which we were chosen; this is a time of God's energetic action as he continues to deal with the world and with each of us in love and mercy. Let us then take hold with both hands of the life and the time God has given us, in all their light and shadow, with genuine faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

[Cameron Rozean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book clearly displayed the power of belief systems, especially ones that may not be explicit. It raised awareness of the Gnostic roots of “new” movements today, and it provided clear counter arguments to some neo-gnostic beliefs. One thing I really appreciated about this book was its emphasis on the goodness of creation as well as the emphasis on the goodness of the Lord.

I wish the book would have spent more time with the importance of social change, particularly as a Catholic. This book leaned into the need for an individuals heart to change for a system to change (good), and I wish it would’ve discussed more about the ways a Catholic can and should interact with society and systems from a Catholic Social Teaching POV. In my opinion, systems can help us care for the most vulnerable that we cannot interact with in our own communities, and I would have loved more information on how to properly do that (however, that may be beyond the scope and intent of the book).

Overall pretty decent book, I would maybe recommend it sometimes? IDK with the amount of Catholic literature out there this may be down the list of recommendations I would give.

Side note, how dope is it that we have an American pope????? I feel excited #JubileeYearofHope

[James Dunnigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening quote of the book:

“To be a reflective Catholic is always to be a Catholic rather than something else. So, Augustine was a Catholic rather than a Manichean or a Neoplatonist; Pascal was a Catholic rather than a skeptic or a Cartesian; Maritain was a Catholic rather than a materialist or a Bergsonian. In what they affirm Scripturally, in the creeds, and liturgically, there is that which is the same for Catholics of every generation. But the denials that are the counterparts to those affirmations vary with time, place, and culture. So how is it with us here now?”

-Alasdair McIntyre


What is the “religion of the day” that we need to be converted out of if we are to fully be converted to the Christian faith. An inspiring read that gives insight into many ways worldly beliefs seep into, infiltrate and erode the essence of what a Christians should believe.

[Ross Gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as gripping to the point of not being able to put it down as From Christendom to Apostolic Mission, but just as insightful and important. Definitely picked up toward the end, chapters 5 & 6 stood out to me as the most compelling.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful on all counts. The advice I was seeking for how to be an involved person of faith awaited me on page 116:

"Yet one act of self-denial for the sake of the Gospel, one single heartfelt prayer or act of charity toward those we are called to love, will have more power in advancing the cause of Christ than months of angry listening to podcasts, or hours of sparring on social media, or years of stirring up those around us with the latest evil reports from news articles. The devil is dismayed by humility, devasted by charity, and terrified by the Cross."

A must read for all Christians living in this day.

[Mary Kate Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to “From Christendom to Apostolic Mission” (a book I believe every Catholic should read) and this was just as good. It builds on the premise of the first book (that we no longer live in a predominantly Christian world and must therefore change the way we live and share our faith) and explains in more depth what it calls the religion of the day or the “progressive neo-gnostic disease” that plagues our world.

This book breaks down the three battlegrounds between good and evil: 1) the world 2) the church and 3) our own interior self and explains how all three have been affected by this modern “plague” and how we need to adjust our battle strategies accordingly. It’s a small book and simple to read and understand and similarly to the first, I think it would be hugely beneficial for all Catholics and Christians to read.

[Meghan Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We live in a time of increasing personal isolation , where superficial relationships are the order of the day, yet the human heart longs for genuine communion with others…..the most effective witness to the life of Christ will come communally.”

This sequel to ‘From Christendom to Apostolic Mission’ is thought provoking, compelling, a page turner and better than the predecessor. While Christianity hasn’t changed, in every historical time period there presents new challenges to the Faith. This book succinctly describes what ‘the religion of the day is’ and how it can be understood a parasitic form of Christianity. The invitation the book makes is to understand the culture better and to share Christ in a timely manner

[Abby Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone who calls themselves a Christian and who is striving to live in a world that actively works against the call to be a follower of Christ. The book is so helpful in clearly outlining the commonly held and misplaced belief system of our current age, aka the religion of the day. But at the same time it is a wildly hopeful work that reminds one of the great call we have received to be a follower and lover of Christ and that He will surely triumph in the end.

[Fr. Zachary Galante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the smoothest read, but it is a fascinating take on the religion followed by most people in society today. Neo-Gnosticism is alive and well, and this book explains the phenomenon in dialogue with the Christian vision.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of the Church in the world today and how we should respond to it. It’s more dense than the first book and worth the effort. I hope there’s another to follow. Hopeful and challenging in all the right ways!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relatively short read for anyone wanting to understand what is going on in our culture, our Church, and in our own lives as Christians - the errors we tend to believe without even realising it, and how we can be reconverted to the true Gospel. Most helpfully, it articulates an understanding of what the Church is, and how we should expect things to be going within it, that I've not found anywhere else, and which gave me and those I read it alongside new confidence that God really has everything under control, whatever might be going on inside and outside of the Church itself. It's a text that promises to reinvigorate any believer's experience of joy and hope in being a believer of Jesus Christ. Truly a must read.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.5 rather than a 4. In its finest moments this book offers a rightful and justified critique of contemporary progressive ideology in the vein of Lasch and Chesterton. I appreciate that unlike most critical material I encounter (and in some cases agree with) this text does offer a path forward in its conclusion. I have my doubts whether it would have much appeal to any but the faithful, but perhaps it could be persuasive to readers who do not reflexively reject its premise. As noted in other reviews, I would like to have seen more commentary on contemporary reactionary politics, though it is correct in noting that progressivism and its foils are two sides of the same coin informed by the same general attitudes and ways of thinking.

[Fr. Brisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I began this essay, I expected an eloquent review of the characteristics and origins of Western culture’s current ailments, and I got it. But I got something else too. About two thirds of the way through the book appeared an eloquent description of the Church, a call to arms, and an elaborate battle plan. Perhaps the image that stood out most for me was the analogy of the Church visible—that is, the Church militant—as an outpost behind enemy lines. The “main” Church, or the greater part of the Church, is the Church invisible. Here on earth we’re fighting behind enemy lines and the battles are often waged within the Church itself. But the vast reality of the Church—all the angels, saints, and souls in purgatory—is not visible to earthly eyes. This essay gives us the tools to spot the enemy, ferret him out, and fight the good fight, so that Christ’s victory may take root in as many hearts as possible.

[Marianne Hofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Religion of the Day exposes the subtle principles and promises of the secular culture which make their way into our own minds without our recognizing it. It’s a book that touches the very heart of joyful repentance as Christians - and it’s a necessary and rewarding sequel to From Christendom to Apostolic Mission. Providing the big picture guiding principles which can form the foundation of renewal in parishes, ministries, education, and family life in a secular age, this work is a deeply Christian take on the need for conversion within our own lives - and then, radiating outward, in our communities and the culture at large. Incredibly helpful, encouraging, and motivating!

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a good follow-up to the fantastic "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission".
I do think the first portion, critiquing "progressive gnosticism", could do with 1) more citations from the things it claims to be critiquing, as it could be viewed as jousting against straw men otherwise, and 2) acknowledging that perhaps some of the growth of PG is due to good things within that pattern of thought that the Church has moved away from.
The second portion is very good, and very edifying -- Indeed, the only way to continue to upbuild the Church and to work against the culture is our own personal holiness, which will overflow into all else.

[Allison Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent sequel to From Christendom to Apostolic Mission. The explanation of the progressive religion that surrounds us is so important and helpful. But I think one of the most powerful parts of the book is the section about the Church. The authors beautifully explain that the eyes of faith help us to see that the Church is not in trouble like we can sometimes think it is. With the eyes of faith we can see that the Lord is protecting the Church and if we could see beyond this world we would have no fear. This seems like a very important point for our time.

[Mary Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A necessary tonic to the trials of our times

This is a short book but very powerfully written. It concerns the “gnostic” religions of our time - progressivism that seeks perfection via politics or environmental or social reform. The question is how to live as a Christian in the post-Christian world that mirrors the pagan world in which Christianity was born. It’s short, but it deserves a thoughtful reading.

[David Szatkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a 2.5/5 (this is a reluctant round up). The author makes good critique of 'modern progressive' religion, but fails to see the same flaw in the 'conservative' movement that is really the same problem on the right as the left. Had the critique been better balanced, the book would be much improved.

[Peyton Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a good book for someone who has little to no intellectual formation, and creates accurate and creative categories for describing some of the features of the religion of secular modernity. It brings up many points without, in my opinion, adequately elaborating on them, but could spark interest in further research

[Peter Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An audiobook version of this book can be found here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=gqjKbA3OF...

TL;DR: The kerygma vs modern neo-gnosticism. A good follow-up to From Christendom to Apostolic Mission.

[Benjamin Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as “From Christendom to Apostolic”, but still good. I really liked the imagery of the Church as taking on all of the diseases of modernity and becoming inoculated and thus able to give us a cure, which is similar to how God becomes Man and takes on our debt of the Fall.

[Fr. Dave Tomaszycki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is even better than its precursor: “From Christendom to Apostolic Mission.” It’s denser, so it probably won’t get the notoriety or the ratings that the first book gets, but it’s actually better.

[Thaddeus Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, terse read elaborating exactly what we see around us, and the micro (and macro) heresies that are creeping in on all fronts.

[Noah Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful breakdown of the state that we find ourselves in and a stirring call to action (to stand therefore) for the Christian people of today.

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look at the ideologies of today. How "secular" ideologies aren't truly purely secular.

[Andrew Waring · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the content was good, I thought the pace was uneven. The last half was great and provided many good ideas to ponder and important reminders.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant sociological analysis of our current moralistic therapeutic deism culture.

[Valerie Kolbinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Joseph Serwach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

What must we do? This excellent book and its predecessor on Apostolic Mission lay out the problem and the answer.

[Dana George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Msgr. Shea does it againnnnnn - think it’s better than from Christendom to apostolic mission