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James Trimm's Diploma Revisited

Revelation 2:2

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Just to refresh what is being discussed. On James Trimm's Nazarene website, in promotion of his own Yeshiva, or Jewish School, and seen prior to July 2001, we noted that he had four letters of recommendation from various individuals. He also had his "transcript" and "diploma" from Saint John Chrysostom Theological Seminary (SJCTS). 

While it is almost nonsensical to again address "Letters of recommendation" for a worthless degree, from a "seminary" that had dead current faculty, no professors, teachers, curriculum, or classes and no actual seminary, which incidentally has been pulled from the web [see: HargisNewsFlash] it seems that James Trimm wishes to discuss the matter. And so we will. For the last time on these particular issues.

The version of Trimm's Yeshiva page, from May 30, 2003, had no access to the credential page. The lack of direct access appeared to be in response to the controversy over his credentials or lack thereof. There were four names listed as having given "letters of recommendation." 

They were: Phillip Arnn, J. Phillip Arnold, James DeFrancisco, Rabbi Herbert J. Gilner.  The Transcript, Diploma picture and email from SJCTS validating Trimm's doctorate were all linked. There was also a link to the manufactured Saint John Chrysostom Theological Seminary, which had dead current faculty and trustees, and multiple people using various names. 

UPDATE: Re Saint John...Seminary, Please see HargisNewsFlash

The Recommendation letters were removed from James Trimm's website so it was difficult to find what they had said. However, there were copies available of the following:

Trimm's Diploma--"Sacrae Theological Doctorate"- diploma

Trimm's Transcript -- transcript

Email from Saint John... Seminary -- stjemail

Rabbi Herbert J. Gilner Letter -- gilner

Some observations about the posted "Official Transcript" for James Trimm's doctorate.

The name of the seminary is misspelled. Chrysostom is spelled as "Chrysotom", omitting an 's' in their official seminary transcript. There is no physical address, phone number or contact person. There is no "official seminary seal," although there is a place for one. There is no prior record of education, no professors, no dates or grades for the courses, and many more credit hours than would normally be required to obtain a doctorate. And quite frankly, the transcript is ill designed with alignment of rows and columns uneven, and the actual lines that are drawn are smudged.

Of the missing Seminary Seal, James stated on the Messianic Apologetic Forum: "First of all your initial claim is false. The transcript is embossed with a seal but that seal is of a nature that it does not copy/scan so it is not visible in the scanned copy. Secondly I cannot answer for the fact that the Bishop made a typo in the transcript when he prepared it. In fact I never noticed it until this typo suddenly became "evidence of forgery" some two or three years ago."

On July 22, 2003, James posted the following response to my posted statements on the Messianic Apologetic Forum. It will be dealt with in parts.

From: "James Trimm" <jstrimm@n...>

Date: Tue Jul 22, 2003 6:58 am

Subject: Re: Letters of Recommendation, Saint John Chryostom, Religious Task Force

"Well I have not seen as much garbage as I saw in Schmuel's forwarding of Vickie's Lashon HaRa letter in a long time.

I am not Vickie'sonly target, as you can see she is currently attacking several other Messianic Leaders..." [spelling as seen]

I'm an equal opportunity Berean. I test the fruit of all "spiritual leadership" as they come to my attention. It has nothing to do with "denomination" or "race". We're not to be a respecter of persons. Since, when I did the 1999 "To Embrace Hebrew Roots" series, it was due to being asked to be a part of the Messianic movement, it's highly unlikely that I have an agenda against anything but the occult, false teaching and false teachers infiltrating the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul clearly stated that there is no distinction in members of that Body. All Believers, are our Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. If I have an "agenda" at all, it is to expose and reprove the "fruitless deeds of darkness."

It's interesting that a person claiming to be a spiritual leader finds it offensive for believers to be Biblically obedient and heed warnings about false teachers. That is: "try the spirits", "you shall know them by their fruit", etc.

John 3:19 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.

2 Timothy 4:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

There's talk about dealing with these various people, such as James Trimm, via a "Beit Din." That seems to be pushed forward by James Trimm's  supporter Steven Berkowitz. He heads the Beit Tefillah Messianic congregation.  http://www.spokentruth.org/%7esteve/PCBeit%20Tefillah.htm

"Beit T'fillah Fellowship a Yasharim Messianic Congregation"

It might appear to be a bit of a curiosity as to why he speaks in defense of James and his friends, like Avi ben Mordechai, aka Bradley Marcus. For More on Avi ben Mordechai see: Avi ben Mordechai & Millennium 7000

The reason is quite simple. Mr. Berkowitz also runs a "Yeshiva." He also promotes the same people, such as Avi ben Mordechai, as speakers to his various conferences. James Trimm also posts articles to his site. And Steven Berkowitz's "Yeshiva" accepts "academic credits" from both Trimm's SANJ and David Hargis's MBI Yeshiva's. 

In fact, Pacific Coast Messianic Institute, Torah Study Center, in their "About Us", states,

"Pacific Coast Messianic Institute/TSC, has branches in Portland, OR, Seattle area and Northen California."

"PCMI/TSC offers theough its courses:

ASSOCIATES IN MESSIANIC STUDIES
BACHELORS IN MESSIANIC MINISTRY
MASTERS IN MESSIANIC MINISTRY

PCMI/TSC accepts completed and credited coursework "C" and above from MBI YESHIVA, SANJ YESHIVA, UMJC YESHIVA, MJAA YESHIVA, SIMCHAT TORAH YESHIVA(COLO.) and will assess completion of certificate coursework from IMJA, IFMJ, and MIA..."

http://www.spokentruth.org/%7esteve/PChomepage.htm

http://www.spokentruth.org/~steve/PCAboutUs.htm

.....

...The Master's Degree is the second line of professional degrees, and the first scholar's degree. Our Yeshiva provides the Master's Degree graduate with upper echelon religious teaching, and scholarly credentials.

This may be useful in the position of teacher or director of a religious institute or college.

Licensed and ordained ministers may want to secure a Master's Degree to authorize their role and status as a scholar in their ministry..."

"http://www.spokentruth.org/%7esteve/PCDegrees.htm

As already stated by David Linkletter of Texas Higher Education, and basing conclusions on that and Texas State laws, it would be illegal to receive "credits" from Trimm's Yeshiva. One might wish to reread Steve Levicoff's numerous helps in "The NIFI Criteria, or How to Spot a Degree Mill in 75 Easy Steps", which is partially quoted in the article: MBI Yeshiva & The Hargis Clan 

The idea of a "Beit Din," is that a special "authority" is needed to evaluate if there is some wrong doing. Personally, I prefer what God has to say about the matter.

1. We are all called to discern both good and evil by use of the Word of God. No one has that authority over another.

Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2. The Apostle Paul was very specific about needing to have a court or authority determine what is right or wrong among Believers. The persons to "judge" the issues are not ones who claim authority or are esteemed, but the least esteemed.

1 Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

Unfortunately, because of James Trimm's rebellion, the illegal diploma dispensing, the questionable credentials, falsifying academic achievements, the dead faculty, the failure to give refunds as directed by secular law, the plagiarism, etc., this cannot remain amongst Believers, but will be dealt with by "the Law." However, the spiritual, sound doctrine and Biblical obedience issues are to be evaluated Biblically. That is what is being done.

1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.

 

Letters of Recommendation

Proverbs 19:8-9

8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

James Trimm finally produced the "Letters of Recommendation" of all who were listed, on his TrimmFamily website, flown June 23. We see that the Phillip Arnold letter was written May 29, 1995, the DeFrancisco letter was written June 6, 1995. And the Phillip Arnn letter, May 13, 1995.

On the Transcipt, Arnold's letter is listed as June 1, 1995. James DeFrancisco's, MILTA letter is listed as being from June 5, 1995. However. on the actual Letter of recommendation, it is dated as June 6, 1995.

Question: How does one receive a letter on June 5th, which was not written and sent until June 6th or after?

Further the Transcript is dated June 7th, while the date the "Degree" was "Conferred" was June 6th, 1995, the same day DeFrancisco wrote his letter of recommendation, although the transcript wrongly records that as being June 5th.

James himself claimed on a forum, and in response to being questioned about his "doctorate", and dated 2000-10-11, that his "degee" was "conferred" June 7th, not June 6th, as stated on the Transcript. [spelling as seen]

"I was conferred with the S.T.D.  degee (Sacrae Theologae Doctor)
by this seminary on June 7th 1995."

"Moreover my degree was earned.  It was NOT awarded as an 

honorary degree nor was it purchased  (as I said I was actually on a full scholarship).

I have a certified transcript with real credit hours.

The school also required three letters of recomendation from persons who have doctorates in the field of religion in order to be awarded the degree of doctor.

My degree required real credit hours, as well as three such 

recomendations.

It was NOT the product of a diploma mill."

Please see Full email/forum interaction regarding these statements and other 

issues: Trimm Critics

James stated that SJCTS required, "...three letters of recommendation from persons who have doctorates in the field of religion in order to be awarded the degree of doctorate." 

But, in another statement on his TrimmFamily web page he said, "...St. John Chrysostom required at least two letters of recommendation from doctorates active in the field. The following were my letters of recommendation from my recommending advisors to the seminary."

Two is different than three. A doctorate in the "field of religion" is different than "doctorates active in the field." Which field?  Semitic New Testament? Way Bible Translation? Linguistics? Rabbi Yosef's Mormon Jewish "PhD in Rabbinical Studies"?

James Trimm's Homeschool

Matthew 18:6 

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

James, incidentally, has made claims on his Home School Forum, via his wife Ingrid, that he not only has a Doctorate in Semitic Studies, but also Linguistics. All applicants and messages to the Home School Forum are carefully screened by James, so we know he is aware of the Welcoming Message document.

"From: "homeschool-club Moderator" <homeschool-club-owner@yahoogroups.com> 
To: 
Subject: Welcome to homeschool-club
    
Hello,

Welcome to the homeschool-club group at Yahoo!

This is for homeschoolers to get to know each other and discuss
homework and why they are homeschooled.  It will be for fun and learning too. 
More to come.....

Owner
Inga Trimm (Kitty) itrimm@ihms.net (Parent)

James Trimm jstrimm@nazarene.net (Parent)"

"File name: Welcome_to_the_Home_schooling_Club.doc"   

"...Welcome to the Home schooling Club! 

"...Since this is a children’s group as well as a parent’s group, all messages require my husband’s or myself, Kitty, approval. I want to make sure that no inappropriate messages get sent to the group. This hasn’t been a problem in a while, but since I do not know everyone who joins this group, I must make sure they are here for home schooling proposes. For this reason, it might take up to 24 hours for your message to be approved."

"...My husband is Dr. James Trimm. We have been married for 12 years and have 5 children. We live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area of Texas in the USA. We have been home schooling for about 5 years now and find it a lot more rewarding then regular school. I, myself, am disable with a seizure disorder, but still am able to run school with my husband and our own organization, which is small, but growing. I also was home schooled during my school years after elementary school. My husband runs a religious organization and has a doctorate in Semitic Studies and Linguistics..."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschool-club/

In all sincerity, one would hope that a tutor is brought in to teach spelling and phonics. 

All this time this author thought the "Doctorate in Semitic Studies" from Saint John's was nonsense. Now we have it, that it is more than what James has in the past declared and is currently stating: "I was conferred with the S.T.D.  degee (Sacrae Theologae Doctor)", "I have letters of recomendation for the degree of doctorate in Semitic Studies from when I was awarded the degree of doctorate.", "I am a scholar of theology." [spelling as seen]

Now James Scott Trimm is a Doctor of Linguistics too. One has to be truly impressed that James Trimm has never boasted of this accomplishment to other scholars. He appears to have preferred to simply impress children and their parents with his fluency in languages. It's unclear which languages that would be, and whether that would be spoken and/or written proficiency.  And then of course, we have the question of ... where did he get his "Doctorate" in "Linguistics"?

James has a double standard when it comes to dealing with Home Schoolers and children. He takes specific precautions about what is being allowed on "his" Home School Forum. Yet, he took great pains to promote his brand of beliefs on the Messianic Homeschool Forum. 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MessianicHomeschool/messages/

"MessianicHomeschool · This list is for Messianic Jewish and Gentile Believers who have chosen to homeschool their children or are thinking of homesch..."

"I would like to extend an invitation to any of you home schoolers out there to join the homeschool-club group. 
Many of us there are Messianic/Nazarene home-schoolers but all
home-schoolers are welcome.

This group is for is for children who are home-schooled. It is a heavily moderated group...."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MessianicHomeschool/message/3128

Doing a search in the messages reveals several pages of James Trimm posts, promoting his Nazarene Judaism, HRV, and so much more. 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MessianicHomeschool/messagesearch?

query=James%20trimm

In this message, he culled, or perhaps a better word would be chummed,  the Messianic Homeschool Forum for children and parents interested in joining his Homeschool Club/Forum...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MessianicHomeschool/message/3128

What is the most disturbing to this author, besides his looking at children as a captive audience, is James Trimm unashamedly teaching them kabbalah, with the parents none the wiser. So much for the recommendation by "rabbis" to not enter into the kabbalah until the age of forty. Which brings into question James Trimm studying and teaching it, as he is in his mid thirties. 

"Beit Netzarim Yeshiva believes in the close teacher/talmid concept that seems to have characterized the Rabbinical schools of the Second Temple Era. Without compromise, Beit Netzarim will guide students through a complete Messianic Jewish education that tracks out areas of student interest.

The PaRDeS study plan is an all-encompassing study plan which is designed to progressively unfold into more in-depth teaching each year. The plan is also intended as part of a return to more traditional Yeshiva studies...

The second year will emphasize the Remez and include an in-depth study of the Gemara (i.e. the Talmud) and of Luke as Remez...

The fourth year will emphasize the Sod level and include an in-depth study of the Sefer Yetzirah, Bahir and Zohar and a study of Yochanan as Sod level material..."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MessianicHomeschool/message/3102

Many are teaching that one must also utilize "PaRDes as a tool for Torah study," with the qualifier, "that this would be within normative rabbinic Judaism (and should be in ours), not necessarily just Kaballah, that is why the rule for being 40 years of age and extensively schooled in Torah was the original prerequisite for understanding Sod." and in order to understand the meaning of the Scriptures.

It needs to be understood that Pardes is an acronym for the understanding of Scriptures via kabbalistic means. It's noteworthy that an article published in the final print edition of the Jerusalem Perspective, written by David Bivin of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research (JSSR) and who is so popular within the Hebrew Roots movement, is not accepted by many within the Hebrew Roots or Messianic movements or Christians embracing these teachings, because of their not understanding or denying the source of kabbalah or Pardes:

“... students of the Kabbalah speak of Pardes ...which is an acronym derived from the initial letter of each of the four terms (p-r-d-s)....According to the late Professor Gershom Scholem, pioneer researcher in the field of Kabbalah, Moses ben Shem Tov of Leon was the first known writer to mention the acronym Pardes. He did so about 1290 in a composition called Sefer Pardes. Moses ben Shem Tov also wrote The Zohar, which became the most influential work of the Spanish Kabbalists...The Kabbalists were mystics par excellence, and they pursued vigorously Scripture's concealed meanings. They aspired to an elevated spiritual awareness by gaining access to concealed knowledge through scrutinizing each letter of the biblical text and through ecstatic ascents into heaven...Their longing for esoteric knowledge may be traced back in part to earlier Gnostic speculations. Such speculations left their imprints on the Kabbalah...The acronym Pardes belongs exclusively to the domain of the Kabbalah.”
 
Quoted from an article titled:
 
“Medieval Jargon on First-century Lips”
Author: David Bivin
Jerusalem Perspective
Page 33
July-September 1999 #56

A book published in 1984 by David Bivin (Director of the JSSR) and Roy Blizzard has formed the basis of much Hebrew Roots' doctrine. The following excerpts from Understanding The Difficult Words Of Jesus represent the JSSR viewpoint on the lack of originality of the Greek New Testament: 

"...Our reasons for writing this book are not only to show that the original gospel was communicated in the Hebrew language; but to show that the entire New Testament can only be understood from a Hebrew perspective. 2.

"It cannot be overemphasised, that the key to an understanding of the New Testament is a fluent knowledge of Hebrew and an intimate acquaintance with Jewish history, culture, and Rabbinic Literature."

Jesus Christ is identified by the JSSR as being "like other Jewish sages of that time". Please see  Jacob Prasch & The Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research for more on the JSSR

James also sold his skills as a "translator" and expert in Aramaic and Hebrew, to the prospective children and parent followers of his teachings. They apparently were/are unaware of his worthless credentials.

"...In a recent Email we told you that there would be some major revisions and additions to the nazarene.net website in coming days.

We have just put up the Peshitta Aramaic text of Mark in Hebrew letters...

We will also be putting up Hebrew and ARamaic online grammars.

Yes learning Hebrew will empower you to read the Tanak (OT), Hebrew Matthew, the Midrashim (like Sefer HaYashar "The Book of Jasher"), the Sefer Yetzirah, the Bahir, the Mishna and the Tosefta. Not to mention many of the Dead Sea Scrolls, all in their original language.

And learning Aramaic will empower you to read parts of the Tanak (like Daniel), The Old Syriac Aramaic of the Gospels, the Peshitta Aramaic NT, The Crawford Aramaic Revelation, the Aramaic Peshitta Tanak, the Targums, the Talmuds, the Zohar not to mention many of the Dead Sea Scrolls (such as the Aramaic Book of Enoch) all in the original Aramaic.

Now as the first step in this project SANJ will also soon be putting up the complete Peshitta Aramaic NT in the original Aramaic in Hebrew letters!

Then SANJ will begin placing the Hebrew and Aramaic grammars online a chapter at a time.

If the project is successful at that point we will begin adding such
documents as the Targums, the Peshitta Tanak, the Talmuds etc....

We are asking for contributions, especially regular contributuions that will help us make this a reality...."

Make sure you put in the notes, that you are sending in a donation for the Community Center.

If you need further help, email us at itrimm@h... or sales@n... .

NEW MESSIANIC TRANSLATION:
THE HEBRAIC ROOTS VERSION
http://www.nazarene.net/hrv

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MessianicHomeschool/message/1628

On a personal note. I used to speak to parents about curriculum. I explained the contents and ideology behind curriculum in Public Schools. I also warned and encouraged parents to take the time to check out home schooling resources, as many hold the same concepts as what they are desiring to remove their children from. I, as a parent, am speechless. I can not even source a word that can explain the emotions that I am feeling after spending one half hour on this forum reading James Trimm's attempt at merchandising his theology and wares to children. 

While "translating" his Hebrew Roots Version (HRV), yet unpublished, running the above Homeschool forum, and numerous other controlled forums and website, his Yeshiva, and Beit Din, James and his wife also are busy moderating and writing recaps of such things as the, "Young and the Restless." http://www.youngandtherestlessforum.com; Bold and the Beautiful Fan Club, etc.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/-fansofYandR-/messages/

2628 > James trimm > "Now that I am able to tape again, Kitty has asked me to write the Tuesday and Thursday recaps... and I am more than happy to assist....it has been awhile since I wrote recaps...hope this isn't too long!!! ....

It is unclear why James, while declaring his Doctor of Semitic Studies or "S.T.D.  degee (Sacrae Theologae Doctor,)" never told anyone about his "Doctorate in Linguistics", when he was very clearly asked many times about where he obtained his skill in Aramaic and Hebrew for translating. For more on this issue, see Michael Rood & James Trimm & The WAY

James has been unexpectedly modest in this regard. People need to encourage James Trimm to share where and when he obtained this "Doctor of Linguistics" title, and for what language skills it was given.

2 Timothy 3:

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Next Section: Revisited Part 2: The Four Letters

Previous Section: Doctor James Trimm's Diploma  

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

Copyright . All articles are the sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen

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