Out of Season, a review

Review by T. C. Pinckney                                                                           Vol. XV, No. 6, Jun/Jul 2002

Junior Hill, one of the best known Southern Baptist evangelists, has just written a book titled Out of Season with a foreword by Jerry Vines. If you have attended the SBC Pastors Conference in the last ten years or more, chances are that you have been blessed by one or more of Hill’s excellent sermons. He has been in the ministry for over 45 years and has conducted over 1,400 revival meetings.

The preface summarizes the book’s purpose: “[This book] is not a how to of preaching, but rather an ought to and a why to of preaching. It is a desperate call for the return of bold and uncompromising proclamation of the divine Word of God by fearless and courageous preachers.” This paper-back book of 192 pages is divided into seven chapters dealing, respectively, with Proclamation, Exhortation, Observation, Evaluation, Germination, Intimidation, and Commendation.

And in the first chapter the author sets forth the problem plaguing many modern pulpits: “The strenuous demands of sincere biblical exegesis have succumbed to the pathetic pursuits of psychological rhetoric. Having preferred man’s reasoning to God’s revelation, milk has replaced meat, and feeling happy is now viewed as more important than feeling holy.”

One of the book’s features that make it so interesting is that the author draws on his enormous experience to illustrate every point with a personal anecdote. Often humorous, these stories keep the message from becoming too academic and engage the reader on a personal as well as an intellectual level.

Out of Season is framed as advice for preachers, but it is no less valuable and no less interesting for laymen. Basically, Hill is pleading for solid biblical preaching springing from careful preparation and biblical exegesis. He is remonstrating against culture-focussed talks seeking to make folks feel good, when what they need are Bible-based sermons convicting them “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

I highly recommend Out of Season for both clergy and laity. What about one as a gift for your pastor? The book sells for $10. Orders should be mailed to:

            Junior Hill Ministries

            1605 Rice Road

            Hartselle, AL 35640

Please add $1.50 postage for each order. Phone orders may be made by calling 256-773-6198.