In Memoriam: Dr. Harold O. J. Brown (1933-2007)

The Trinity community laments the passing of Dr. Harold O. J. ("Joe") Brown. As an accomplished educator and scholar, Brown was a Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) professor emeritus of biblical and systematic theology. He served as professor of biblical and systematic theology at TEDS from 1971-83, and after four years as a pastor in Switzerland, he returned to the Trinity faculty from 1987-98. Brown also served as a founding Fellow of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity (CBHD), and more recently brought distinction to the CBHD as a Senior Fellow.

With former United States Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop, Brown co-founded the Christian Action Council, an evangelical pro-life action group of which he served as the chairman. In addition, he also served as the director of the Center on Religion and Society at the Rockford Institute and taught in the International Seminar on Jurisprudence and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

Brown's vast scholarly range included the ability to speak well in the areas of systematic theology, right-to-life issues, ethics (especially medical and family values), journalism, public affairs, and political philosophy.

"Joe was rightly known for his rigorous intellectual scholarship, persevering compassionate activism, and transforming mentoring relationships," said CBHD Director Dr. C. Ben Mitchell. "He will be greatly missed."

He served on the editorial staff of Human Life Review and Christianity Today, as contributing editor for Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture, and as editor of The Religion & Society Report. His more recent books include Heresies: The Image of Christ in the Mirror of Heresy and Orthodoxy from the Apostles to the Present and Sensate Culture.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Brown's wife, Grace and their family.