Harold O.J. Brown, R.I.P.
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
—2 Corinthians 5:1
It is with deep sadness that I announce the death of our long-time religion editor, Harold O.J. Brown. Joe had struggled with cancer for years, and only recently, his health had taken a turn for the worse. Yet the news of his death still surprises, especially for those of us who remember him as a vigorous mountain climber and an even more vigorous defender of the Faith.
Dr. Brown passed away on the evening of July 8, surrounded by his family, including his dear wife, Grace. He leaves behind a legacy of careful scholarship, theological astuteness, intellectual integrity, devoted friendship, and unfeigned faith. He is the author of numerous books, including The Protest of a Troubled Protestant, Heresies, and The Sensate Culture. Among his many accomplishments is the co-founding (with Dr. C. Everett Koop) of the Christian Action Council (now Care Net), which worked to counter the evil of abortion—first, by seeking to overturn Roe v. Wade, and second, by establishing pregnancy-care centers to provide Christian counsel and aid to women.
For his family, for Chronicles, and for the Church, this is a great loss. As we mourn, I can hear him reminding us not "to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."
Rest in peace, Herr Doktor.
For more on Dr. Brown, see this article on the website of Christianity Today, and this announcement from Care Net. (Update: The Charlotte Observer has posted this obituary.)
The August installment of my column, Heresies (named in honor of his book), will be devoted to his memory.
Entries(RSS)
I am deeply saddened by the death of this good friend and learned, pious theologian. I had no idea of how ill he had been with cancer. Certainly his writings remained as cutting and vigorous during the last months of his life as they had been before. May he rest in peace! Paul Gottfried
A friendly, authentic and devoted Christian man. Was priviliged to briefly talk with him a couple of times on the campus of Trinity. He was both helpful and patient with what I'm sure he found to be the most mundane of questions.
He is with his Lord in paradise, now. Prayers of consolation for his family and friends.
Joe Brown left an indelible impression on me when I got to know him in the early 1970s. My current obsession with our run-amok judiciary no doubt owes much to Brown's influence on me. In those days I used to wonder how a very decent and learned guy like Harold O.J. Brown could be a conservative (much less a staunch conservative!), and now I'm one myself. I will always remember the kindness of Joe and his wife, Grace, to me when I was an ignorant and naive but earnest young believer.
Requiem im Pacem Harold O.J. Brown.
Professor Brown made a remarkable impression on me while I was studying under him at TEDS during the early 90's. His lectures in Systematic Theology were the stuff of legend. He had an encyclopedic mind when it came to systematic theology and its history. His Christian witness was consistent, as I had many gatherings with him outside the class and he always inspired me both intellectually and spirtiually. My thesis was chaired by him, and I found it a great joy to learn from him. He always had time to receive my calls, even at his home. I am so thankful that he was a part of my life. What an enormous gift he was to the Church.