I'm emphasizing the benefits of modernity here in this article, but I agree that modernity has its downside, and elsewhere I criticize the problems with secular enlightenment (with capitalism, democracy, technology, and so on).

I think you're ignoring the apocalyptic aspect of Jesus's preaching, though. The reasons he gave for acting in a self-sacrificial way, to maximize peace were entirely theological. And he emphasized rewards in the afterlife, not in this life. He proved his lifestyle wouldn't work in earthly terms, by antagonizing Rome and getting himself killed. Predators would prey on the meek, which is why absolute idealism is fit only for an imaginary, fantasy world, such as "God's kingdom."