James Trimm as Rabbi Yosef

James Trimm has posted to Mormon forums under the names of Rabbi Yosef, Rabbi Yosef ben Yehudah and Yosef Liahona. Trimm aka Yosef was promoting the idea he was a qualified Jewish Rabbi with a doctorate. He was teaching that the Book of Mormon was a relevant Jewish book and that it was true. James Trimm was then at his own Nazarene forum refuting that, using the name James Trimm, but he was also posting as Steve Cohen who was also advocating the Book of Mormon.

Besides believing that the Book of Mormon is the true testament of Jesus, Mormons believe that there are an infinite number of planets, each with their own god or gods. Instead of the Christian understanding, in fact on full rejection of Christianity, Mormons believe the Godhead consists of three separate gods. They believe there is God the Father or Elohim, Jehovah or Jesus the son, and the Holy Ghost who make up the Godhead. Jesus is believed to have been a mortal man who attained godhood, showing that all men can also achieve that godhood. There are many more questionable, and for many, false teachings, about Christ, the Bible and so on, and while many like to think they are a branch of Christianity, they are not, according to most Christians.

In fact as quoted below, Mormons, who also refer to themselves as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do not see themselves as a protestant denomination or even a break from the Catholic church, but rather, they view themselves as the true church of the Apostles.

Barry's Early Christianity and Mormonism Page http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/2671/EC.html

"....This page is dedicated to the comparison of Early Christianity and Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The LDS Church claims to be neither Protestant nor Catholic, but a restoration of the early Christian Church, as it existed under the direction of the Apostles. We believe this restoration was necessary because the original Church lapsed into apostasy - Christians rebelled against the Apostles and other authorities established by Christ, so God's authority was taken from the earth for a time.

The Prophet Joseph Smith is the one through whom God chose to restore His Church...."

Michael Detwiler, SANJ's former vice president has stated that, "... it is not 'new' news that James did participate in the BoM site as Yosef and other names (though the major Yosef on the list was Kurt Neumiller) , and that he has also participated and created Muslim forums (under other names), various Yahwist lists (oneness doctrines), the Ebionite lists (anti 'Paulist'), etc."

Certainly it is nothing unusual for people to use various names for their email, and certainly there is wisdom in using email names which do not disclose one's identity, especially on forums and so on. One merely has to peruse the emails of friends and family to view the imaginative presentation of their email "handles." However, making claims to having academic credentials one does not have is lying. It is that simple. Claiming to agree with something or believe something that you are against, is also lying.

Proverbs 17:4

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

2 Timothy 2: 15-17

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

James Trimm had help being promoted as "Rabbi Yosef" by having a Mormon host a website for him, with the website named "Rabbi Yosef". As sited on a Google group:

From: ###### Kurt Neumiller

Subject: Announcing: Rabbi Yosef's Web Site

Date: 1997/06/26

....

* * * All, You are invited to visit RABBI YOSEF'S WEB SITE, the worlds first and only Messianic Jewish, Sacred Name, Book of Mormon website at:

[note: link and website no longer valid]

http://deathstar.rutgers.edu/people/kurtn/rabbiyosef/rabbiyosef.html

For those who have already visited, several new articles have recently been added. Please forward this notice to anyone you wish who may have an interest in the topic. Also please forward this notice to any Messianic, Sacred name or Book of Mormon discussion groups.

Shalom, Rabbi Yosef

...the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and
        there is none other people that understand the things which
        were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that
        they are taught after the manner of the Jews.
        (2Ne. 25:5b)

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=9706261211.ZM17986%40sirocco.rutgers.edu&output=gplain

********

While being promoted as Yosef, Trimm also used the name Yosef benYehudah on various forums:

From: Yosef benYehudah (rabbiyosef@hotmail.com)
Subject: My Messianic Book of Mormon Website

Newsgroups: alt.messianic
Date: 1997/06/07

Hello all,

I would like to invite you all to visit my Messianic Jewish, Jewishness of the Book of Mormon website at:

[note: link and website no longer valid]

http://deathstar.rutgers.edu/people/kurtn/rabbiyosef/rabbiyosef.html

Shalom,

Yosef beY'hudah
Rabbiyosef@hotmail.com

The web page for Rabbi Yosef reveals that Trimm was promoting himself as having a doctorate in Rabbinical studies, and also embraced the Book of Mormon as an authentic Jewish book, which was based on valid Jewish sources, making it equivalent in truth to the Bible. [spelling as seen]

Rabbi Yosef's Web Page

"....JEWISHNESS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON

In recent years they has been a great movement toward recognizing the Jewishness of the New Testament. This recognition has been acompanied by the rise of Messianic Judaism, a movement of Jewish people to embrace the New Testament as a Jewish book and Yeshua (Jesus) as the Jewish Messiah. On this website we will often quote from and refer to several Messianic Jewish and other Judao-Christian writers. These quotations are not meant to imply that these authors endorse the Book of Mormon.

The time has also come to recognize the Jewishness of the Book of Mormon as well. Many do not realize that the Book of Mormon, like the Tanak and New Testament, "consists of the learning of the Jews" (1Nephi 1:2). The Book of Mormon was written by descendents of Jews (2Nephi 33:8) who worshipped in synagogues built after the manner of the Jews (Alma 16:13).

The Book of Mormon teaches that the Scriptures must be understood in light of their inherent Jewishness, in light of Jewish hermeneutics:...."

"This web page is maintained by Kurt Neumiller ###### as a service to Rabbi Yosef. Kurt is not R. Yosef. R. Yosef is a pen name for someone else who would prefer to remain anonymous. The title "Rabbi" is accurate as Yosef has a PhD in Rabbinical Studies. R. Yosef can be contacted by sending e-mail to: rabbiyosef@hotmail.com "

[note: link and website no longer valid]

http://deathstar.rutgers.edu/people/kurtn/rabbiyosef/rabbiyosef.html

The man who hosted and promoted the Rabbi Yosef website is Steven Kurt Neumiller who goes by "Kurt" or Kurt Neumiller. One can see by his biography and beliefs on his website, that he is a Mormon or in his words, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

His Bio---http://www.cybcon.com/~kurtn/kurtneumiller.html

Kurt's Latter Day Saints Forum http://www.cybcon.com/~kurtn/ldss.html

Kurt quoted and promoted James Trimm as a separate person than Rabbi Yosef, perhaps not realizing that Trimm was Yosef, although it is unknown if he knew Trimm's identity.

http://www.cybcon.com/~kurtn/ldssemv3n37.txt

Latter-day Saint Seminar
Volume 3, Number 37
September 10, 1999

Article 1 - Comments,
                by S. Kurt Neumiller
                ####

".... This is an article written by Dr. James Trimm, of the Nazarene Judaism movement. It argues in favor of Pauline authorship and uses some rather technical arguments arguing for internal evidence, such as forms of rhetorical devices employed in the text that Paul would have been familiar with given his Pharasaicial education. It is not light reading.

http://www.nazarene.net/hebframe.htm?

..... http://www.ldscn.com/ldss/

LDS Seminar Digest posts are archived at:

http://www.cybcon.com/~kurtn/exegesis.html

******

Other teachings tied to Rabbi Yosef on Kurt's web site include:

http://www.cybcon.com/~kurtn/mosiah1.txt

www.cybcon.com/~kurtn/mosiah1.txt
... SIGNS, AND WONDERS, AND TYPES, AND SHADOWS" by Rabbi Yosef A major key to ... Entry into New Covenant. Copyright ) 2001 by S. Kurt Neumiller .....

http://www.cybcon.com/~kurtn/mosiah2.txt

www.cybcon.com/~kurtn/mosiah2.txt
... themes) suggest it was in conjunction with the Feast of Sukkot (see Rabbi Yosef's comments for a ... Copyright ) 2001 by S. Kurt Neumiller

Trimm then went to great lengths to promote Kurt's site aka his own site as Rabbi Yosef, on one of the discussion forums, by pretending he'd found a unique site that promoted his articles: [spelling as seen]

From: jstrimm@swbell.net (James Trimm)
Subject: something unusual
Date: 1997/06/01
Message-ID: <v01540b0dafb788ee5a2a@[151.164.43.52]>#1/1
Organization: None
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc

All,

        While surfing the net recently I ran into something very
unusual.... Messianic Mormons? I had heard of Messianic Jewish movements among the Seventh Day Adventists and Menonites, but not among the Mormons.
Does anyone know anything about these folks:

[note: link and website no longer valid]

        http://deathstar.rutgers.edu/people/kurtn/rabbiyosef/rabbiyosef.html

        A quick look at there website shows that there articles quote
extecively from myself, Joseph Good, David Stern and at least once from James Tabor.

Does anyone know anything about these folks? Are they basicly
Mormons or basicly Messianic Jews? Do they believe in any of the unique Mormon doctrines? From what I can see of the website they SEEM to be Messianic Jews that use the Book of Mormon. I would apreciate any info that anyone has.

        James Trimm

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=v01540b0dafb788ee5a2a%40%5B151.164.43.52%5D&output=gplain

*****

Trimm occasionally denies that he was validating and promoting the Book of Mormon. He is found being promoted as Rabbi Yosef on other Mormon web sites, doing just that.

Barry's Early Christianity and Mormonism Page http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/2671/EC.html

"....This page is dedicated to the comparison of Early Christianity and Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The LDS Church claims to be neither Protestant nor Catholic, but a restoration of the early Christian Church, as it existed under the direction of the Apostles. We believe this restoration was necessary because the original Church lapsed into apostasy - Christians rebelled against the Apostles and other authorities established by Christ, so God's authority was taken from the earth for a time.

The Prophet Joseph Smith is the one through whom God chose to restore His Church...."

Jewishness of the Book of Mormon - by Rabbi Yosef, a Messianic Jew. No, he's not a Mormon, but he digs the book! Click here to see an e-mail from the Rabbi about his background.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/2671/Rabbi.html

Barry,

I am in fact not a Mormon. I am Jewish scholar. Many years ago I came to the conclusion that the New Testament is a Jewish book. I did not convert to Christianity or join any Christian Church, I simply conluded that Yeshua (Jesus) was the Jewish Messiah of Judaism and still practice Judasim. Ever since that time I have studied the New Testament as a Jewish book.

A few months ago I also came to the conclusion that the Book of Mormon is a Jewish book. Again I did not go and join any of the various Book of Mormon Churches (LDS, RLDS, Strangite or Briktonite). I continue to practice Judaism in light of the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, and interpret both as Jewish books.

My reasons for remaining annonymous are obvious. These conclusions, if attached to me, would ruin me as a reliable Jewish scholar. The website allows me an outlet to pblish my conclusions, without ruining my reputation. It is my hope that the ideas expressed will:

* Help all Book of Mormon users better understand the book.

* Force other Jewish scholars to think about what I have said.

* Flush other like minded Jews out of the woodwork so that we might corespond and gather together at some point.

Hope this helps,

Shalom, Rabbi Yosef

[spelling as seen]

It could well be argued that any legitimate scholar would not be ruined by using proper methods of obtaining information. However pretending to have credentials one does not have and lying about what one believes can destroy credibility in an instant. If a person actually believes something, hiding it and pretending to be in agreement with contrary beliefs is a sure way to be viewed as untrustworthy. It's called being double tongued.

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Another Mormon web site promoting Trimm/Yosef is found here:

The Bible and the Book of Mormon :

Was the New Testament written in Hebrew? :

A Collection of Evidence Supporting Original Hebrew-Aramaic New Testament by James Trimm.
....Editions used as Source Text for the HRV

.....(Eastern; "Nestorian" texts) Codex Khaboris (I was fortunate enough to have direct access to the Codex for about a year beginning in July of 1995; and since that time have had access to photographs)

http://www.bibleman.net/was_the_new_testament_written_in.htm

The owner of that Mormon site is Massimo Franceschini, from Balboa, Mesa, AZ. Amongst other writings promoted on the web for him, we see:

LDS Living - www.lds-living.com
Massimo Franceschini. I had 3 beautiful experiences in my life that helped me to gain a testimony. ... Massimo Franceschini The Bible and the Book of Mormon ...
www.lds-living.com/converts/MassimoF.html

LDS Conversion Stories
LDS Conversion Stories Home. The Story of Massimo Giuseppe Franceschini. I had 3 beautiful experiences in my life that helped me to gain a testimony. ...www.ldsconversion.com/

*******

Yosef aka Trimm has stated that the Book of Mormon is an authentic Jewish book more than once. On a Mormon Yahoo discussion group, he stated, first as rabbi Yosef, then as "Yosef benYehudah" which is also rabbi yosef.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chofjclist/message/2275

chofjclist · Church of Jesus Christ List Message 2275 of 5387

In a message dated 10/22/1999 3:17:34 AM Central Daylight Time, rabbiyosef@h... writes: << Subj: [bom-messianic] Hebrew behind BoM Date: 10/22/1999 3:17:34 AM Central Daylight Time From: rabbiyosef@h... (Yosef benYehudah) Reply-to: bom-messianic@egroups.com To: bom-messianic@m...

One of the key elements which brought me to conclude that the BoM is authentic was discovered by me while reading a booklet which was attempting to disprove the BoM....

...
From: "Yosef benYehudah" <rabbiyosef@h...>
Date: Fri Oct 22, 1999 8:04 am
Subject: [bom-messianic] Hebrew behind BoM
To: bom-messianic@m...

One of the key elements which brought me to conclude that the BoM is authentic was discovered by me while reading a booklet which was attempting to disprove the BoM. This booklet was comparing BoM passages to the Bible...
....Jewishness of the Book of Mormon Website:
http://www.itstessie.com/jewishbom
-----------------------------------------
Listservers: Jewishness of the Book of Mormon;
Mormon Kabbalah & Book of Mormon Linguistics.
http://www.itstessie.com/jewishbom

****

Also, from the Book of Mormon Truth Forum, Trimm again validates the Book of Mormon, and claims to be a Jew, which he is not, while protesting people evaluating his teachings: [spelling as seen]

"Book of Mormon Truth Forum
Post 1705
Message 1705 of 2569

From: James Trimm <jstrimm@h...>
Date: Mon Aug 14, 2000 5:18pm
Subject: Re: Hidden Agendas

I would like to begin by apologizing if I have said anything that offended anyone.
I am a Jew who came to believe that Yeshua ("Jesus") was/is the Messiah of Judaism. and my saviour. That is where I am at. I accept the Tanak (Old Testament) and the Ketuvim Netzarim (New Testament) as true. I have also studied the BoM for many years and found a great deal of truth in it and although I cannot say for certain that the BoM is true I will say that there is
certainly a good deal of truth in it.
Now because of my Jewish background and acceptance of Yeshua I have been asked many times by many people to research the BoM. Having studied the BoM I have found a great deal of truth in it. It has been my desire to teach that truth to Book of Mormon believers from a Jewish perspective (see 2Ne. 25:5) This I believed would be mutually benificial. It would help me as I continue to study the BoM myself and based on 2Ne. 25:5 it would
seem to be helpful to Book of Mormon believers as well.
Now there are forces out there who DO NOT WANT ME TEACHING THIS TRUTH.
There are people out there who actually run around minitoring me like a full-time job.
These people lie in wait until I say something that they think they can use to "prove" that I believe that the BoM is true and then use that to "expose me discredit me with the mainline public claiming that I secretly believe that the BoM is true.
Believe it or not these SAME people monitor me to catch me saying something that can be used the "prove" that I do NOT believe the BoM is true and then they use THAT to "expose me" and discredit me with BoM believers.
Personally I am sick of it and will not play their little game. The only purpose of their efforts is to keep me from teaching the truth. They wish to keep me from teaching the truth of the New Testament from a Jewish perspective to non-BoM-believers by supposedly exposing me as a heretic that believes in the BoM. They also wish to keep me from teaching the truth that is in the BoM from a Jewish perspective to BoM believers by
exposing me as a person who rejects the BoM.
Many of these people are actually anti-Semites and their real goal is to prevent the truth from being taught from a Jewish perspective.
And these people have put me under pressure to divert the issue from teaching truth and to take one side or the other for or against the BoM.
Now I admit that I have said many things which could be percieved as indicating that I believe that the BoM is true. I also admit that I have said many things which could be percieved as indicating that I think the BoM is not true.
I will simply say that I am studying the BoM in depth and while I cannot say that the BoM is true I will say that it contains a great deal of truth and that I am open to teaching that truth from a Jewish perspective to anyone who wishes to learn a Jewish perspective on these truths.
So will these people shut me up or will we continue to seek the truth that is in the BoM?
One thing I wish to address. It was said of me:
>will also notice the denial of Jesus Christas Lord and Savior, calling Christianity Pagan.
I fail to see how one follows the other. "Christianity" is a new religion founded no EARLIER that 2,000 years ago. It resulted from an attempt to mix the Torah based Judaism which Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah (Christ) taught with the Pagan Babylonian religion of Easter etc. This is detailed in 1 Nephi 13:19-29.
Then 1Nephi 14:10 says:
14:10 And he saith unto me,
Behold, there is, save it be, two churches:
the one is the church of the Lamb of God,
and the other is the church of the Devil;
wherefore. whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God,
belongeth to that great church,
which is the mother of abominations;
and she is the whore of all the earth.
(1Nephi 14:10)
These two churches seem to parallel the contrast between the original Jewish followers of Yeshua and the gentile Christian Church as shown in chapter 13. The "church of the Devil" who is "the great whore" appears to be the church which gentilized the message in Chapter 13.
> I'm sure you will find this post to be very
interesting, in understanding the tactics which are currently being used on this list by Mr. Trimm to bring about this hidden agenda.
I have no hidden agenda. My only desire here is to seek out truth in the Book of Mormon. I believe that that truth includes the truth that Torah is the basis for our faith.
Your brother in Yeshua the Messiah,
Trimm

Study Torah with SANJ Mitvah Club
http://www.nazarene.net/MitzvahClub.htm
[spelling as seen]

James Trimm taking issue with being evaluated and tested according to Biblical truth, is a sure sign that he does not like being held to the 'light.' Any man of God, any one in true Biblical leadership, is going to be glad when they and their teachings are tested to the Word of God and found to be true. It's when they are found to be false that there is a problem.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Again from God's Word: Proverbs 12:19-22

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

One person on the James Trimm owned Nazarene Judaism forum, actually took the time to challenge the "credentials" of "Rabbi Yosef," and rightly so.

nazarene · Nazarene Judaism---Message 23219 of 49046
From: "Errol Feldman" <boaz@w...>
Date: Wed Oct 27, 1999 3:11 pm
Subject: Re: [nazarene] WHOAAA! TAKE A DEEP BREATH....

Good Grief Charlie Brown,
You are serious!??! - I can not believe that you could possibly take anyone seriously who first of all admits that he is NOT a Rabbi but only has a degree in Rabbinic Studies from somewhere mysterious: "The title "Rabbi" is accurate as Yosef has a PhD in Rabbinical Studies", but does not tell us from WHERE? The very least that we need to ascertain his credibility is the University name....Yeshivot do NOT grant such degrees. What are Rabbinical Studies???

And second of all he claims that: "My reasons for remaining anonymous are obvious. These conclusions, if attached to me, would ruin me as a reliable Jewish scholar. The website allows me an outlet to publish my conclusions, without ruining my reputation. Rabbi Yosef"
A bona fide Scholar would NOT be ashamed of his findings nor be a hypocrite and try to have it both ways. IF he sincerely believes: "I continue to practice Judaism in light of the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, and interpret both as Jewish books." Then why be afraid to come out and say so. Perhaps if he is such a great Jewish Scholar he would then be able to show the rest of us Jews the "light".
All quotations are taken directly from his website.
He can not possibly be a Nazarene Jew as he himself says: "I continue to practice Judaism in light of the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, and interpret both as Jewish books."
HOW do you interpret this to mean that he is a Nazarene Rabbi, when you have just condemned Mormonism as being a cult, and he very clearly states that he practices as a Mormon...."
This list provided by SANJ sponsors: http://www.nazarene.net
> SANJ is a non-profit organization

****

We are called to use discernment and try the spirits. We have no other recourse if we are to be obedient and heed the many Biblical warnings about false prophets and false teachers:

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Other Articles

Doctor James Scott Trimm

    James Trimm as Rabbi Yosef

Doctor James Trimm's Diploma

    Trimm Critics

    Stan Eisenberg Letter

James Trimm's Diploma Revisited

Part 2: The Four Letters

Phillip Arnn Email Correspondence

Doctor James Trimm's "Jewish" School & International Beit Din

Saint John Chrysostom Theological Seminary

    Table of Credentials

MBI Yeshiva & The Hargis Clan

A Closer Look at David & Don Hargis

    Hargis Timelines

    Hargis Roles

Marian Hargis & Linda C Hargis & Linda G Hargis

NEWSFLASH!

MBI NEWSFLASH!

HARGIS NEWSFLASH!

NEWSFLASH! > Nazarene Fraud Victim Forum

NEWSFLASH! > Union of Two Unions

Related >The James Trimm & Michael Rood Factor

Michael Rood & James Trimm & The WAY

Vicky Dillen's Inquisition

Ed Nydle; Tom Mitchell, Marshall Koniuchowsky

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