I received a complimentary copy of Tullian Tchividjian’s book Surprised by Grace from Crossway. This short (less than 200 pages) book uses the "surprising" story of Jonah to display the awe-inspiring gospel with clarity. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Tchividjian demonstrates that Jonah isn’t just for children as he walks through the story, focusing on how God sovereignly pursues sinners to show them grace. He picks up on themes within the narrative, such as idolatry and the repeated use of "great". He pointed out frequently overlooked details and their significance.

One thing I enjoyed about this book was the incorporation of other works. Within the Bible, Tchividjian drew parallels to other passages; according to the Scripture Index, he refers to 34 books besides Jonah. He refers to other literature from sources such as C. S. Lewis, Robert Frost, and Herman Melville. Descriptions of artistic depictions added a bit of color.

I also appreciated the open style as Tchividjian relates how studying Jonah impacted his own life, especially concerning the centrality of the gospel. Early in the book he says "it was through probing this story of Jonah that I came face-to-face with one of the most life-changing truths in my experience. I came to grips with the fact that the gospel is not just for non-Christians but also for Christians" (page 15). Later he makes it more personal:

For me, this truth has been revolutionary. In studying and teaching this book of Jonah, there have been times when I’ve felt as if I’d become a Christian for the first time. God saved me when I was twenty-one, and that experience was genuine and effective—the deal was done. But I’ve come to see that I still need to experience the ongoing, liberating power of the gospel in a new way every day. (page 156)

I found it well-written, and the content was excellent. It was both exciting and edifying. I would highly recommend Surprised by Grace.

Related:

Surprised by Grace⁂ is available at Westminster Bookstore.

You might enjoy my reviews of Dug Down Deep and A Sweet and Bitter Providence.

Desiring God recently interviewed Tullian Tchividjian.