Fig Trees and Furnaces, based on the biblical books from Esther to Maccabees, is a collection of stories, scripts and reflections written by Iona Community members, associates, friends and others. It is a companion volume to Olives and Obligations, which is based on the books from Genesis to Nehemiah.There are some beautiful stories in the Bible and there are some hideous stories as well. What do we do with them?Do we tell them in Sunday school? Do we omit them from the lectionary? Do we try to explain them?Stories are important. Stories are powerful.Teach us, God, to read the Bible with wisdom and integrity.Tell us, in the light and in the darkness, the stories we need to hear.