A Tribute to Harold J. Berman

Abstract

Harold J. Berman was a teacher, a colleague, and a friend. Even in his final days, he was filled with faith, love, and a desire to learn. His scholasticism defined conventional boundaries; he had literature of every sort in his library, and he moved easily from subject to subject when doing research. 

Harold Berman also thought beyond his time. His first academic focus described Soviet Russia as a lawful place, rather than the typical concept of Russia as a wild land governed only by Communist dictators. Berman also shed light on the fact that the Middle Ages were where founding principles of the Western legal tradition were formulated. Berman was also a leader in the push for integrative jurisprudence. 

Harold J. Berman was ahead of his time in his holistic theory of knowledge. He served as a guide to modern society with his theology of reconciliation. He was a beacon of hope for the modern era, and he will be sorely missed.

Keywords: Harold J. Berman, Tribute, Russia