ARBCA Seminary President Jim Renihan Fraudulently Promotes Faculty of Impressive Professors That Never Taught in His School. Westminster Seminary California Removes Renihan As Visiting Professor.
Friday, June 7, 2019 at 1:24PM Dr. James M. Renihan claims the IRBS Theological Seminary is “the only residential and confessional Reformed Baptist seminary in the world.” That’s his claim to fame. Yet, the school has very few students – approximately ten. That’s not so impressive. IRBS stands for Institute for Reformed Baptist Studies. It is the ARBCA seminary.
Renihan also claims to have a robust faculty of top academics comprised of four Core Faculty, seven Visiting Professors, and eight Adjunct Professors. Two of the Core Faculty are Rev. Steve Martin and Dr. Fred Malone. They learned about the sadistic assaults of children by ARBCA “Pastor” Tom Chantry at Miller Valley Baptist Church in 2000 and covered up his crimes then and since then. They should be fired.
There’s another problem with the faculty though. It’s fake! Of the 15 Visiting and Adjunct Professors listed in the catalog only two taught courses the past year according to the newsletter. They are Dr. James Dolezal and Dr. Ishwaren Mudliar.
Three of the most esteemed professors from the list of 15 come from Westminster Seminary California. But remarkably, they have never taught at Renihan’s seminary! They are Dr. S.M. Baugh, Dr. J.V. Fesko and Dr. David VanDrunnen. See correspondence that follows.
I also heard from Dr. Crawford Gribben from Belfast, Ireland. He too has never taught a class at IRBS and asked my full assurance I would not associate him with the seminary. He wrote me on May 24.
“Thank-you for your email, which I am surprised to receive, since I have no active connection either with ARBCA or IRBS, and have neither visited the latter institution on either of its CA or TX campuses, nor taught any of its students.”
This is a clear case of Jim Renihan “padding his IRBS resume” with notable professors who told him in the past they would be willing to teach but never signed contracts and were never invited to the seminary. You don’t list guys on your roster who don’t actually play the game in order to attract fans!
Jim Renihan also refers to himself as Visiting Professor of Church History at Westminster Seminary California. That’s a problem too. He taught an elective course about six years ago but wasn’t reappointed. Visiting and Adjunct Professors sign contracts and actually teach courses.
I’ve written the Westminster Seminary California faculty and President, Dr. Joel E. Kim over the past month (see correspondence that follows). Jim Renihan has been removed as Visiting Professor and his biography removed from their website on or around May 28, 2019.
I suspect enrollment will be down in the IRBS Theological Seminary with churches leaving and a growing national awareness of how the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America covered up the abuse of children by Tom Chantry, violated mandatory reporting laws, abandoned the victims and their families to despair, put Chantry back in ministry, and refuse to acknowledge any wrong-doing to this day.
Oh, I forgot to mention another reason for decreasing enrollment. Listing a fake faculty in your catalog that looks extremely impressive only to discover 80% never show up for work!
Here is my recent correspondence with Westminster Seminary California (WSC). Email threads are separated by ##.
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 8:41 AM
To: Westminster Seminary CA
Subject: RE: An Overview of My Ten-Part Series on the Abuse of Children by “Pastor” Tom Chantry & Its Cover-Up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America
Below is an overview of my ten-part series on the abuse of children by “Pastor” Tom Chantry and its cover-up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America from 2000-2018. You can read the entire series in one PDF document here. WSC has had a close association with IRBS. That should be terminated given the magnitude of corruption in the ARBCA.
##
From: David VanDrunen
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 8:51 AM
To: Brent Detwiler
Subject: Re: An Overview of My Ten-Part Series on the Abuse of Children by "Pastor" Tom Chantry & Its Cover-Up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America
Just so you’re aware, the relationship between WSC and ARBCA ended a year ago.
David VanDrunen
Robert B. Strimple Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics
Westminster Seminary California
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2019 1:24 PM
To: David VanDrunen
Subject: RE: An Overview of My Ten-Part Series on the Abuse of Children by "Pastor" Tom Chantry & Its Cover-Up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America
I was aware IRBS became a “full stand alone” seminary in the fall of 2018 when Jim Renihan was inaugurated as president on September 11.
You say, “the relationship between WSC and ARBCA ended a year ago.” You must mean as related institutions. Can you explain?
The 2018-2019 catalog lists you, John [J.V. Fesko] and Steve [S.M. Baugh] as Visiting Professors at IRBS. http://irbsseminary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/irbs-catlaog.pdf Did the three of you teach there this past academic year? Will you be teaching there in the coming academic year or have you severed ties with Jim and IRBS?
Jim is also listed as Visiting Professor of Church History at WSC.
https://www.wscal.edu/academics/faculty/james-m.-renihan I’d recommend he be removed. Is that under consideration? He knew about the criminal allegations against Tom Chantry but covered them up like other top officials in ARBCA.
Thanks for getting back to me.
Brent
From: David VanDrunen
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2019 8:44 PM
To: Brent Detwiler
Subject: Re: An Overview of My Ten-Part Series on the Abuse of Children by "Pastor" Tom Chantry & Its Cover-Up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America
ARBCA was never part of WSC. Their courses met on our campus and we accepted a small number of transfer credits from their courses. That arrangement ended a year ago.
I don’t believe any of us have taught at all at their seminary. In my case (probably the same for the others), I was asked a couple of years ago whether I might be willing to teach there sometime, and I said yes. I’ve never been offered a contract or received an invitation.
Not sure why Jim is still listed as visiting faculty. He taught an elective course for us maybe a half-dozen years ago, but hasn’t been reappointed since then. I imagine that listing will be coming down soon.
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2019 8:54 PM
To: David VanDrunen
Subject: RE: An Overview of My Ten-Part Series on the Abuse of Children by "Pastor" Tom Chantry & Its Cover-Up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America
Thank you, David. Very helpful. Could you ask John and Steve if they have taught at the ARBCA seminary for me?
From: David VanDrunen
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2019 7:49 AM
To: Brent Detwiler
Subject: Re: An Overview of My Ten-Part Series on the Abuse of Children by "Pastor" Tom Chantry & Its Cover-Up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America
No. I think we’re all swamped with grading right now. I will leave it to them to respond if you wish to contact them.
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2019 7:51 AM
To: David VanDrunen
Subject: RE: An Overview of My Ten-Part Series on the Abuse of Children by "Pastor" Tom Chantry & Its Cover-Up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America
Okay. I’ll contact them. I know grading well! Tough work.
##
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 11:05 AM
To: J. V. Fesko; S.M Baugh
Cc: David VanDrunen
Subject: Visiting Professors at IRBS?
Hello John and Steve,
I’m sure you are relieved to have wrapped up another rigorous academic year. I hope your summer is off to a good start.
David encouraged me to contact you directly. You can read our email interaction below from bottom to top for context [the ones above]. Both of you are listed as visiting professors in the current IRBS catalog. Other men who are also listed as professors have contacted me to say they have not taught in IRBS. They are perplexed. It appears the “faculty” has been padded much like an inflated resume.
Can you clarify in your case? Have either of you signed contracts or taught there this past year or in previous years?
Thanks for your kind assistance.
Brent
##
From: J. V. Fesko
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 11:22 AM
To: Brent Detwiler
Subject: Re: Visiting Professors at IRBS?
Brent,
Thanks for your e-mail.
In short, I was asked if I was willing to serve as an adjunct professor, and I said yes. But I’ve never signed any documents and I assumed that the request meant at some point I would be contacted, contracted, and teach a course for IRBS. I’m still open to doing that, but as of today, I haven’t yet been contracted or taught a course.
jv
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 12:03 PM
To: J. V. Fesko
Subject: RE: Visiting Professors at IRBS?
Thanks for the reply JV. I appreciate the clarification. One follow-up question. You say, “I haven’t yet…taught a course.” Does that mean you have never taught a course at IRBS?
In the catalog, the faculty is broken down into three categories of decreasing rank. Core faculty, then visiting professors, then adjunct professors. You were asked to serve as an adjunct professor, but you are listed as visiting professor. I am concerned that was done for promotional purposes.
As you know, one always turns to the faculty page when considering a seminary. Seeing you, David, and Steve listed as visiting professors is quite impressive for recruiting purposes but has not been the case. That is disingenuous.
I hope your new assignment at RTS Jackson goes well.
Brent
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2019 8:14 AM
To: J. V. Fesko
Subject: RE: Visiting Professors at IRBS?
I’m sorry for the unnecessary question in my previous email. Upon review, I realize you already answered my question about whether you “taught there this past year or in previous years.”
It is deeply troubling that Jim has listed you, David and Steve as visiting professors; when in fact, that is not the case and you have never taught a course at IRBS. Please correct Jim for this fraudulent misrepresentation and ask him to publicly acknowledged his deceit and correct the online catalog immediately (which is easy to do).
You state, “I’m still open to doing that.” That is, being an adjunct professor at IRBS. Have your read the ten-part series I sent you? If not, you really must. The corruption in ARBCA/IRBS is ever so serious. They protected, promoted, and defended a known child abuser. For instance, the following men are on the Board of Trustees for IRBS - Fred Pugh (Chairman), Chuck Rennie, Don Lindblad, Rob Cosby, and Jason Walter – yet each of them covered up for Tom Chantry and ARBCA. The same is true of Jim.
If you study the evidence, you will quickly realize you should have no association with IRBS Theological Seminary unless there is widespread repentance in ARBCA that results in public confessions, numerous resignations, reconciliation with the victims and their families, and proper reparations for harms suffered.
I hope you will take this matter seriously and be an agent of righteousness. Please reprove Jim Renihan and sever ties with IRBS until they embrace an independent investigation and acknowledge their 18 year conspiracy to cover up the crimes committed by Tom Chantry.
I know you are going to be with Ligon Duncan at RTS. For eight years, he refused to study the evidence I sent him regarding the abusive leadership of C.J. Mahaney and the conspiracy to commit and cover the sexual abuse of children in Sovereign Grace Churches, Inc. That was a grave mistake. Please don’t make the same mistake in relation to ARBCA/IRBS.
Thank you.
Brent
##
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2019 2:36 PM
To: Joel E. Kim
Subject: Jim Renihan, IRBS & WSC
Hello Joel,
I know the responsibilities of President are never ending but I hope you are getting a little time to refresh and recreate with the academic year completed.
Since I wrote you regarding ARBCA and Tom Chantry, I’ve received more information about the relationship between WSC and IRSB.
Here is how Jim Renihan has described it. The underlining is mine.
Westminster Seminary California
Faculty
James M. Renihan
Visiting Professor of Church History
Dr. Renihan has been a professor at the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies in Escondido, California, since 1998. He is currently Professor of Historical Theology and Dean of the Institute. He has lectured at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Northeast Extension), the Faculté de Théologie Évangélique de Montréal, and several other schools. An ordained minister, he has served congregations in Massachusetts and New York.
Christ Reformed Baptist Church
Vista, California
Pastor Jim Renihan
Jim and his wife Lynne have been married for 33 years. They have five children who have all professed their faith in Christ--the oldest four (Beth, Nathan, Micah & Sam) are married and their youngest (Susie) is still at home. They have six grandchildren. Jim studied at Liberty University, Trinity Ministerial Academy, Seminary of the East, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry in July 1984. He has authored several books including True Love (a study of 1 Corinthians 13) and Edification and Beauty (a study of how 17th Century Baptist churches practiced their beliefs). Jim also serves as the Dean and Professor of Historical Theology at the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies at Westminster Seminary California in Escondido, CA.
ARBCA
IRBS Professor
James M. Renihan, Dean and Professor of Historical Theology
James M. Renihan is Professor of Historical Theology and Dean of the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies. His primary task is to lecture on subjects related to Theology, Church History and Pastoral Theology, helping to prepare men for ordination in Reformed Baptist churches. He spends time with the students to pray with and encourage them, and helps to organize their internships. He is responsible for academic affairs at IRBS, and coordinates all relations with Westminster Seminary California. In addition, he travels to represent IRBS both in North America and around the world. He has preached in many churches and has taught modular courses at other theological institutions in Canada, Ukraine, Zambia, the Philippines and New Zealand. Dr. Renihan works closely with the IRBS Board of Trustees in all matters of policy.
Jim has been listed on the Westminster website for years as a Visiting Professor of Church History but I’ve been told he has only taught one elective course approximately six years ago. Is that true? If so, why has he been listed as a Visiting Professor?
On his church website, Jim also makes it sound like IRBS is a part of WSC but I’ve been told IRBS was never a part of WSC. Is that true? I realize they met on your campus and I’m told you accepted a small number of transfer credits from their courses but that is all.
“Jim also serves as the Dean and Professor of Historical Theology at the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies at Westminster Seminary California in Escondido, CA.”
When you spoke at Jim’s inauguration last year, he advertised the following. “President Kim and President Renihan share a 20 year working relationship between Westminster Seminary California and IRBS.” That gives the impression WSC and IRBS are related institutions in a “working relationship.” Please explain?
You were also the featured speaker at the event.
Dr. Joel E. Kim
President of WSC
Words of Encouragement
September 11, 2018
All of this is perplexing to me. That was after Chantry was convicted on August 21 on two counts of aggravated assault and the ARBCA cover-up exposed. Did you know about the guilty verdicts?
Jim also claims on the ARBCA website that he has a continuing relationship with WSC but I’ve been told that ended.
“He is responsible for academic affairs at IRBS, and coordinates all relations with Westminster Seminary California.”
Could you explain this for me? What does “coordinates all relations” mean?
In the current IRBS catalog, Jim says J.V., Doug, and Steve are visiting professors but they have never signed contracts or taught a course. Jim is deceitfully taking advantage of their good reputations to market his school. He does the same with other academics. In fact, only one of the seven “visiting professors” and one of the eight “adjunct professors” listed in the catalog taught this past academic year. That is scandalous. Jim has done the same thing in how he has misrepresented IRBS’s relationship to WTS.
This kind of duplicity is commonplace in ARBCA. That is one reason I sent you my “Ten-Part Series on the Abuse of Children by “Pastor” Tom Chantry & Its Cover-Up by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America from 2000-2018” on May 15.
Your faculty member, Scott Clark has been following the Chantry story and ARBCA cover-up from the beginning in December 2016 when Todd Wilhelm and I first wrote about it. This what he told people on Twitter.
“People with relevant testimony should present it to the churches. They should contact Jim Renihan for direction on how to proceed.”
Australian blogger, Barbara Roberts, followed up with him.
“Thanks for that info [Scott]. I will pass it on to Todd Wilhelm and others who are blogging about this [Chantry]. But I wonder --- what gives you confidence that Jim Renihan will act in a God-fearing way, if he receives such testimony [evidence].”
Scott followed up with Barbara.
From: Barbara Roberts barbara@notunderbondage.com
To: Todd Wilhelm tlwdxb@protonmail.com
Local Time: January 1, 2017 8:02 AM
UTC Time: January 1, 2017 4:02 AM
Subject: Re: R Scott Clark advises people with relevant testimony about the alleged ARBCA coverup of Tom Chantry’s sins
R Scott Clark replied to my question about how does he know Jim Renihan will deal with evidence in a godly manner. His reply was simply: “I’ve known him for twenty years”.
Unfortunately, Scott was wrong. Over the past 2½ years, I have presented hundreds of pages of evidence to Jim and all the leaders and pastors in ARBCA. The majority accused me of slander and violating the Ninth Commandment. But the whole time, they were violating the Ninth Commandment by bearing false witness there was no cover-up and Tom Chantry was innocent when in fact he is a sociopathic liar and sadistic child molester.
[Note: Read Quiet! Don’t Break the Ninth Commandment! (Jan 2, 2017) for Todd Wilhelm’s treatment of Scott Clark. https://thouarttheman.org/2017/01/02/quiet-dont-break-ninth-commandment/]
ARBCA has much in common with Sovereign Grace Churches, Inc. Al Mohler finally realized he was deceived by C.J. Mahaney and severed all personal and ministerial ties. Many others have done the same. I trust you will come to the same realization and sever all ties with Jim, IRBS, and ARBCA. That is the best kind of seminarian training you can provide – leading by example and confronting evil for the glory of God.
The Inside Story: Al Mohler Severed All Personal Ties With C.J. Mahaney & Sovereign Grace Churches Because Mahaney Deceived Him Into Believing An “Independent Investigation” of Abuse Was Done
Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 4:54PM
I would also encourage you to read this article by Lori Ann Grover. She was a member of Providence Reformed Baptist Church in University Place, Washington. Tom Lyon is the lead pastor. Chantry fled to Lyon’s church knowing his crimes would be covered up. Lyon is one of the most evil men in ARBCA. He is a friend of Renihan’s. Lori does a masterful job succinctly listing the sins ARBCA must confess.
Between Convictions: Tom Chantry and ARBCA
Lori Ann Grover
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Finally, I am in the process of writing an article about Jim Renihan. I will be talking about his relationship with WTS. That’s why I would appreciate answers to my questions and I’d also like to know how you plan to relate to ARBCA and IRBS in the future.
I appreciate your time and attention.
Brent
##
I did not receive a response from Dr. Joel Kim. I’m glad WSC removed Jim Renihan from its website but I hope WSC and the faculty sever all ties with him and IRSB. They are fully apprised of the issues surrounding Tom Chantry and ARBCA. For example, eight months ago I sent the faculty this correspondence.
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 5:51 PM
To: Westminster Seminary - Faculty
Subject: Walt Chantry, Miller Valley Elders, & ARBCA Officials Knew Tom Chantry Was a Child Abuser Even Before the 2000 Investigation Began
Gentlemen,
I have been helping the victims and families affected by the criminal and devastating actions of Thomas Chantry. Many of you know his father, Walt and also Jim Renihan, a visiting professor at your institution.
Tom graduated from Westminster Seminary CA in 1995. Upon graduation he took a pastorate in Prescott, AZ and began to physically and sexually abuse children. The story is horrifying. Tragically, the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America did not report him to law enforcement upon knowledge of his abuse.
In 2015, a victim finally came forward and reported to police. That led to Tom’s arrest a year later. He will be sentenced this Friday for two counts of aggravated assault inflicted upon two children. He awaits further trials for 8 counts of sexual molestation, 4 counts of aggravated assault with sexual motivation, and one count of child abuse. If justice is done, he will be in prison for the remainder of his life.
Tom Chantry is not a reflection of Westminster but it does illustrated how we can educate minds without reaching hearts. That comes from someone who taught Systematic Theology for 30 years. We need to see sound doctrine, spiritual gifting, and godly character in those we ordain to ministry. I am sure you agree. None can be missing.
The harms suffered as a result of Tom’s malevolence cannot be overstated. Please pray for the victims and their families. I hope this article proves beneficial to you. An excerpt follows.
Part 2: Walt Chantry, Miller Valley Elders, & ARBCA Officials Knew Tom Chantry Was a Child Abuser Even Before the 2000 Investigation Began
Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 2:10PM
There has been a massive cover up by top officials in the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of América (ARBCA) since December 2000 when they misrepresented Tom Chantry’s physical assaults upon children as “inappropriate discipline” knowing full-well he was guilty of child abuse. They also told ARBCA churches “the differences between the Elders of the Miller Valley Baptist Church and Thomas Chantry have been resolved.” There were many unresolved issues including the need to ask forgiveness for the vicious assaults upon four children.
These same ARBCA officials, which included Tedd Tripp, refused to obey the mandatory reporting laws in Arizona for clergy. Current ARBCA officials continue the cover up in a multitude of ways including the false narrative they put out to ARBCA churches in a letter on April 25, 2017 that claimed all laws were followed in the past. They were not followed.
ARBCA officials have also argued that Tom Chantry is innocent of all charges against him despite overwhelming evidence from six victims, four families, two Miller Valley Baptist Church elders, an investigation by a three-man Council, 14 police reports, and hundreds of court documents containing thousands of pages of evidence.
In addition, Chantry has been arrested twice and incarcerated three times with a $100,000 bond, a $250,000 bond, and then a $1,000,000 bond. He was recently convicted on two counts of aggravated assault and faces 13 more counts of sexual molestation, aggravated assault with a sexual motivation, and child abuse in the future.
Nevertheless, top ARBCA officials have privately and publicly claimed he is being persecuted for righteousness sake. In fact, a defense fund was set up for him and people were encouraged to contribute based on the premise he was entirely innocent.
This cover up of Tom Chantry’s crimes was also carried out by his father, Walt Chantry; his sister, Judy Rogers; his father in-law, Al Huber; and his wife, Karen. They still protest his innocence.
For instance, Karen Chantry wrote a letter to family and friends on September 11, 2018 about God’s righteous servant (her convicted husband) being so wrongly disgraced in jail.
END
Jim Renihan’s fake faculty and padded resume are just more examples of the corruption so prevalent in the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America.