In his new book, the Rev. Tullian Tchividjian connects the Book of Jonah with the religious right. And with recent events at his Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.

“Instead of the gospel, we’ve communicated moralism,” the pastor of the Fort Lauderdale congregation says. “Somewhere along the way, Christians have communicated that Christianity is for good people, keeping rules, maintaining standards, doing what’s right.”

Not a standard lesson for the biblical story of a man swallowed by a “great fish.” The slim book, titled “Surprised by Grace,” (Crossway, 192 pp., $18.99) probes the motives and fate of the prophet who fled God rather than help an evil city repent.

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The lesson for modern America, and Christian conservative activism, is the need for mercy, not just judgment, Tchividjian suggests.

“So much of the religious right over the last 25 years has done good things, but it’s also done real damage to the reputation of the church. It’s been more outspoken about what it’s against than what it’s for.

Jonah was the subject of a sermon series by Tchividjian last year, after he became Coral Ridge pastor. Many of the congregants — accustomed to straightforward salvation messages and crusades against perceived social ills — first protested his leadership, then pushed for his removal. When they failed, they founded the breakaway New Presbyterian Church in Pompano Beach.

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