Jack’s mother always sets an extra plate on the table in case the emigrated neighbours return. But they never come back. And Jack’s nephew asks why his friend emigrated. Very likely, because his parents felt hopeless. But what should theology bring for a nation: hope or hopelessness?

What little goodwill Israel still had is evaporating in the blink of an eye. How can Christians still love Israel?

Debate erupted immediately after the publication of Darwin’s book “On the Origin of species” (1859). His theory would be disastrous for ethics. The critics were proven right: Darwin planted a seed that would eventually lead to Hitler’s Holocaust.

“Alarm Antisemitism”, the national Italian daily La Stampa headline read recently. The alarm was prompted by an attack on a Jewish man and his six-year-old son by a group of visitors to a roadside restaurant near Milan.

More Christian organisations are condemning Israel's role in the conflict and calling for better care in Gaza.