Twenty-three Differences Between Biblical and Totalistic Teaching
or
How to Identify Counterfeit, Manipulative, and Controlling Systems

Content Which Is Biblical	Content Which Is Totalistic
Teaches/matures	Clones
Leaders open to questions	Unquestioning obedience
Truth is the bottom line	Love and loyalty are the bottom line
Teaches the entire Bible	Places undue emphasis on portions of Scripture
Doctrine is verifiable by others outside the group, agreeing with church fathers, history	Doctrine is virtually infallible; espoused and supported by one group alone Leaders proclaim what is truth
Adheres to basis tenets of Christian faith passed down over the centuries	Purports to have rediscovered or restored "truth" which has been lost to the church for centuries
Emphasis Which Is Biblical	Emphasis Which Is Totalistic
Freedom to form own conclusions	Indoctrination. Leaders' conclusions must be accepted.
Emphasis on unity	Emphasis on uniformity
Not elitist	Elitist
Methods Which Are Biblical	Methods Which Are Totalistic
Open program	Hidden agenda
Influences	Manipulates
Leaders shepherd (guide) the flock	Leaders "lord" it over the flock
Integration (with the church universal)	Isolationist ("we" are the church universal)
Mainstream/traditional	Originated within last 25 years
Church Life Which Is Biblical	Church Life Which Is Totalistic
Free to join/leave	Free to join/leaving results in loss of salvation
Results in diversity, freedom	Results in conformity, rigidity
Provides many avenues of service	Allows one avenue of service serving -- their church
Lifestyle Which Is Biblical	Lifestyle Which Is Totalistic
Individual is responsible to God for his life	Individual is responsible to leaders
Individual seeks, discerns and follows God's will	Leaders tell individual what God's will is
Holy Spirit directed	Leaders, in effect, serve in place of the Holy Spirit
Critical thinking encouraged	Analytical thinking hindered
Complex, no simple answers	Simplistic approach to life
Reasoned approach based on whole counsel of God, prayer, counsel, circumstances, other information	Find a verse to lead you Choices must conform to leaders' dictates, leaders' approval

Material has been adapted from a paper whose author is unknown. Joanne Ruhland 1995