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24 when the former congressional aide shared some insights from his days on Capitol Hill .
“ I would just love to see politicians who are humble ,” said Hansen , who worked for former U . S . Rep . J . C . Watts , R-Oklahoma .
Historically , Christianity , especially during the Civil Rights Movement , acted as a “ leavening factor ” to inspire people to consider others . However , politicians often become swept up in a “ for-me and against-thee ” mentality .
Hansen shared some warnings and insights about the ways modern communications influence politics and culture .
“ Ultimately , fear and loathing drives just about everything in our culture . It drives our media . It ’ s what keeps you watching cable news . It ’ s what keeps you responding to Twitter ,” said Hansen .
Along those lines , politicians typically fundraise to rally against the opposition party and its evils . “ People are more easily , readily motivated through fear and loathing , not faith and love ,” Hansen noted .
Hansen explained how an unprecedented revival at Yale emerged on the heels of the spiritual fervor that swept the country ’ s rugged frontier during the Second Great Awakening .
Still , “ the problem with fear and loathing is that it doesn ’ t win , it doesn ’ t solve anything .”
As well , tensions are heightened in today ’ s political climate as the “ echo-chamber ” nature of some social media and cable news outlets fuel partisanship . As a result , media consumers delude themselves in thinking their beliefs are more universally shared .
For believers , following Christ ’ s commission to spread His Gospel should remain paramount . “ It ’ s no big thing to love the people who love you ,” Hansen said . “ It ’ s when Christians love their enemies that the world pays attention .”
Christ set an example by being “ relentlessly ” devoted to others . “ The man who prayed and sweated tears of blood in Gethsemane was not fearful . He was not full of hate for others .”
Such a mindset runs counter to worldly narratives . “ The Gospel demands we consider others more important ,” Hansen said .
Hansen ’ s thought-provoking words resonated with Christian Union faculty and students , especially as it related to racism . “ It was very powerful to hear a minister acknowledge the pain of people of color as we continue to struggle against racism ,” said Christopher Arce ’ 19 .
As well , “ I am very grateful
Christian Union at Cornell had a speaker who discussed racism , at length . I am confident this is God building leaders at Cornell to help address racism in the United States and the people who are hurt because of it .”
Anna Shea , ministry fellow , agreed . “ A true leader uses power to serve the powerless ,” she said . “ That ’ s the example of Jesus , and that ’ s the example we get to follow as His people in America today .” | cu