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One Book Stands Alone: The Key to Believing the Bible.
By Stauffer, Douglas D.
Millbrook: McCowen Mills Publishers, 2001.

Book Review by Rick Norris

On the copyright page, the author encourages readers to examine carefully the evidence themselves. Stauffer observed; "When truth and error are examined side by side, the facts become clear" (p. 316). Having already carefully examined the evidence, this book causes this

reviewer to wonder how carefully the author himself examined the actual evidence. The truth is consistent. Stauffer's book promotes an inconsistent, man-made KJV-only view as though it were the only defense of the Bible or as though it was "the key to believing the Bible." However, a consistent, scriptural view of Bible translation would be true both before and after 1611. English-speaking believers before 1611 were not without the key to believing the Bible. William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale, and the other early English translators did not hold to a KJV-only view. How can it be thought that the inconsistencies and double standards of a KJV-only theory will strengthen the faith of believers? Does it strengthen the faith of believers that speak Spanish, German, or some other language?

If some of the essential claims and reasoning of this book were applied consistently, they would undermine or harm the English roots or foundation that is the basis of the KJV [Tyndale's to Bishops'] (pp. 282-283). According to the rules given the translators, according to the preface of the 1611, and according to the title page of the 1611, the KJV is a revision of multiple, earlier English Bibles as well as being a translation of the original languages. While Stauffer acknowledged the KJV's connection with the earlier English Bibles, he seems to be unaware of their actual contents. In less than 100 years [1526-1611], many of the same-type differences can be found between the pre-1611 English Bibles and the KJV as can be found between the KJV and some later English Bibles such as the NKJV. Sometimes the KJV has more words than some of the earlier English Bibles, and sometimes it has fewer words. There are also differences in meaning of words, in part of speech or grammatical form used, in number of pronoun or noun, etc. In several verses, one or more of the earlier English Bibles have a reading or rendering that KJV defenders condemn as a doctrinal corruption when found in a later English Bible. Would KJV defenders claim that the KJV is a revision of multiple English translations that weaken our doctrine and faith?

Would Stauffer claim that Tyndale's, Coverdale's, and Matthew's Bibles were "counterfeit bibles" because they were missing Mark 11:26 or Luke 17:36 (p. 56)? Would Stauffer claim that Tyndale's, Coverdale's, Matthew's, Great, and Bishops' Bibles "cast doubt on the virgin birth of Christ by calling Joseph His father in Luke 2:33" (p. 297)? Would he claim that Tyndale's, Coverdale's, Matthew's, and Great Bibles downplay "the fact that Mary was a sinner in need of a sin-offering" at Luke 2:22 (p. 206)? Would he claim that Coverdale's Bible elevates idol worship at 2 Samuel 5:21 with its rendering "carried them away" (pp. 209-210)? Over and over, Stauffer seems to ignore or be unaware of the actual renderings of the earlier English Bibles of which the KJV is a revision. What benefit comes from the KJV-only view's undermining the English basis of the KJV?

Concerning Psalm 12:6, Stauffer claimed: "The King James Bible became the seventh purification of the English translation in fulfillment of this prophecy" (p. 282). Does he interpret this verse correctly? Does Stauffer think that Psalm 12:6 means that people have to have seven translations into their language before they can have an accurate, reliable one? The phrase "purified seven times" indicates that God's Word was 100% completely and perfectly pure when given by God. This phrase does not indicate that God's Word had some impurities and needed to go through an improvement process of seven purifications in seven English translations.

Stauffer wrote: "The King James Bible is the word of God for the English-speaking people. There is no other" (p. 273). Does this exclusive, only claim for the KJV conflict with the fact that the KJV is a revision of earlier English Bibles that are the word of God? Surely, Stauffer would not claim that the KJV is a revision of earlier English Bibles that were not the word of God. Does Stauffer claim that the KJV translators introduced "confusion and chaos" when the English already had God's Word translated in their language in the beloved Bible of the common people--the Geneva Bible? Would Stauffer claim that an English Bible ceases to be the word of God if a later translation revises or updates it?

Stauffer seems to accept or comes close to accepting the extreme claim that makes salvation depend on the KJV. He wrote: "Our relationship with Jesus Christ is based upon a particular Bible translation" (p. 97). He also seems to imply that accepting a KJV-only view is essential to believing and studying the Bible. He claimed: "One loses the opportunity for effective Bible study by using these modern versions" (p. 96).

This book on the KJV-only view has been highly recommended by several fundamentalists such as Tom Malone, Hugh Pyle, Mickey Carter, Bob C. Gray, Jack Trieber, David Reagan, Jerry Rockwell, Dennis Corle, and William Grady. This book is recommended as "a classic work," "a wonderful work," "a noteworthy entry," and "a thorough, nearly exhaustive book." It is surprising and shocking that a book such as this one with some of its inconsistent and extreme claims is so highly recommended.

Based on a careful examination of the actual evidence and on the consistent truth, this reviewer has valid, scriptural grounds for disagreeing with this book's inconsistent and inaccurate claims. The Scriptures do not teach a KJV-only view. Does a KJV-only view cloak the KJV translators with such robes of superiority and infallibility that even a pope could only envy? Does a KJV-only view interpose the KJV translators as some unique, exclusive priesthood who stand between English-speaking believers and God? Does this KJV-only view imply that the final, ultimate authority beyond which there is no other was produced in 1611? God's Word does not teach that the interpretations of Church of England scholars in translating in 1611 should in effect be made greater in authority than the preserved words of the prophets and apostles in the original languages that were given by direct inspiration.

Director's Note
By Gary F. Zeolla

Rick Norris is the author of the book The Unbound Scriptures: A Review of KJV-only Claims and Publications. This 544-page book covers the type of material seen in the above book review, but in much greater detail.

In preparation for the section on KJV-onlyism in my book Differences Between Bible Versions, I studied the KJV-only issue in depth, but I wish I had Norris' book when I was working on it. I learned a lot reading it that I hadn't come across in all of my previous research.

Most interesting in Norris' book are all of the quotes from early English versions. He shows very clearly how the KJV was based on the versions that went before it. The book even has two lengthy appendices comparing verses from the KJV to the early versions, along with to many modern versions. Throughout the book, Rick exposes the faulty reasoning and unscriptural notions of KJV only-ists. History, logic, and Scripture are all used in this regard.

Rick's book is highly recommended for any reader struggling with the KJV only view. It needs to be ordered directly from Rick. Below is the ordering information:

Retail price for one copy is $18.00 plus $3.00 for shipping and handling and plus 7% sales tax for North Carolina residents.
Send order and check or money order to:

Rick Norris
508 Westminster Drive
Statesville, NC 28677

Any questions: email - rick1560@juno.com

The above review was posted on this website April 30, 2004.
It first appeared in the free Darkness to Light email newsletter.

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Differences Between Bible Versions
Why do Bible versions differ? Why does the same verse read differently in different versions?
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These and many other questions are answered in this paperback and eBook By Gary F. Zeolla.