Table of Contents

Introduction

A Reading from Esther 4:13–5:13

PART I

Traditional Tools and Readings of Scripture

Chapter One: Scripture and Community

A Reading from the Analects of Confucius

Chapter Two: Scripture and Authority

A Reading from Nehemiah 8:1–10

Chapter Three: Historical-Critical Reading

A Reading from the Qur’an 3:1–6

Chapter Four: Contextual Criticism

A Reading from Luke 10:38–42

Chapter Five: Scripture in Spiritual Practice

A Reading from Genesis Midrash Rabbah 8:5

Chapter Six: The Question of Translation

A Reading of I Ching 17

PART II

A Unitarian Universalist Take on Scripture

Chapter Seven: How Unitarian Universalists Perceive Scripture

A Reading of “For So the Children Come”

Chapter Eight: Preconceptions and Cultural Bias

A Reading from Black Elk Speaks

PART III

Using Scripture

Chapter Nine: Study

A Reading from Dhammapada 1:1–2

Chapter Ten: Scripture in Worship

A Reading from Isaiah 61:1–4

Chapter Eleven: Beyond Study and Worship

A Reading from the Tao Te Ching 17

Suggested Scriptures and Stories for Theme-Based Ministry

Resources

Notes

Promotional Information

• Online campaign featuring social media images with blurbs and reviews of the book as well as designed graphics of selected excerpts.
• Early reviewer promotion through advance copies to encourage reader reviews and generate buzz.
• National review outreach to trade and print publications (PW, Kirkus, Booklist, Library Journal, Foreword, New York Times) and online (NPR, Spirituality & Practice, Book Riot)
• Advertising in print publications (Sojourners) and online (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Sojo mail)
• Promotion on the publisher’s website (skinnerhouse.org), Twitter feed (@skinnerhouse), Instagram page (@skinnerhouse), Facebook page (/skinnerhouse), Tumblr page (@skinnerhousebooks), Pinterest (@skinnerhousebks) and publisher’s e-newsletter.

About the Author

Rev. Jonalu Johnstone serves as developmental minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan, Kansas. Previously, she has served at the First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City; the Channing Unitarian Universalist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma; and the James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Madison, Wisconsin. She has also served as a growth consultant in the Southwestern Conference of the Unitarian Universalist Association.