Enneagram: An Unpopular Opinion & Spiritual Perspective
MY FIRST IMPRESSION
My opinion has shifted over the past year or so when it comes to the Enneagram. Let’s start with my initial impression: annoyed, turned off, perturbed. Three pretty strong words, I know, to describe my first thoughts when hearing about the Enneagram. I am sure this says something about my personality and inclinations, but also my sinfulness to be so closed minded to something that can truly be a helpful tool.
Let me clarify and share that when I started hearing about the Enneagram from friends, Jesus-loving ones at that, it was presented as the REASON behind their sin tendencies and pitfalls. For example, I heard (and still hear sometimes) many say something to the effect of, “Oh, well, I do that because I’m a {insert Enneagram number}.” That got me really fired up because our enneagram number is NOT the reason we do something. It’s because we have free will to choose and are sinful humans who, at the core, want to glorify ourselves above anyone or anything else.
Okay, I’ll pop down from my soapbox for a bit.
It took me time and time again of hearing similar “reasonings” until I was almost completely closed off to the Enneagram. If it was brought up, I was assuredly noticeably annoyed.
After a bit more time had passed, a friend and former mentor of mine and I had a great conversation about how I was struggling to really identify the sin tendencies in my life. Within the same week, another friend and I had a very similar conversation. She was saying how she was in a similar boat until she looked into a tool that brought clarity to some of her questions. Both of them are dear friends who I trust and are continually pointing me to the Word and to Christ. Well, that tool both of them pointed me toward was the Enneagram.
Still a bit hesitant, but also deeply intrigued, I asked both of them for some of their favorite resources I could check out and dove in the next day.
A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE
One of the most helpful tools I found in my study of the Enneagram was the book The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile(a). I will refer to and share some quotes from this book, especially the introductory chapters, because it is full of valuable insight and information.
In just the first few pages, it addressed my #1 concern and skepticism with the Enneagram. The author’s spiritual director and Benedictine monk, Br. Dave, said, “Working with the Enneagram helps people develop the kind of self-knowledge they need to understand who they are and why they see and relate to the world they do. When that happens you can start to get out of your own way and become more of the person God created you to be.(b)”
Ah ha! So it’s a tool to help you develop self-awareness and draw you closer to the Lord, NOT an excuse for your sinful choices? Okay, I’m listening.
Br. Dave also gave caution by saying, “Just remember, it’s only one tool to help deeper your love for God and others.(c)”
In Scripture, we are commanded to confess our sins to God, enter into His forgiveness, and walk into the light (ref. 1 John 1:7-9). If we are to confess our sins but we aren't sure what our sins are, we are just running in circles. This is where the Enneagram helped me personally identify where I tend to sin, call it out, confess to God, and repent.
I don’t know about you, but I can come up with 1 zillion excuses not to take the time to sit in stillness with God, journal, read the Word, or pray. Why? Because it’s not necessarily fun to point out the ways you fall short of the glory of God, but we are called to rid ourselves of all ungodliness and pursue purity (ref. Colossians 3:1-17).
Self-identifying our sin and where we get in our own way of fully glorifying God is helpful for sanctification. This isn’t done with a personality test, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the book it states, “...don’t waste your time trying to accomplish any of it [spiritual transformation] apart from the transformative power of God’s grace.(d)”
As humans we are uncomfortable with mystery. The unknown can be scary. Constructing boxes with identifiers or common denominators is our way of making sense of things we can’t fully comprehend. It brings us comfort to understand someone even just a little bit more. This isn’t bad, per se, but we just don’t need to make it our purpose in life to figure out, categorize, or stereotype others.
Bottom line, we were all created in the image of God. That should be the sole way we identify people. As it says in Psalm 139, “For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.” (ref. Psalm 139:13-14) We have been fully known and made by God, and in that truth alone reveals our true identity.
HOW TO FIND YOUR NUMBER & START YOUR TRANSFORMATION PROCESS WITH GOD (NOT APART FROM HIM)
What I appreciate about the Enneagram compared to other personality tests is it relies on the underlying motivation behind the things we do; it hits on the why in why we do what we do. Lack of self-awareness in my sin is a struggle of mine and I love how in the book, when it talks about finding your number, says, “...once you know your Enneagram number it takes away any excuse you might have for not changing.(e)” In other words, it reveals to you what sins need to be addressed.
If you’re interested in gaining more self-awareness, I suggest taking the Enneagram test below, as well as diving into some of the other resources listed. For me, the combination of the test and The Road Back to You book have been incredibly revealing. I also gained so much from “The Sleeping at Last Podcast”. Plus, the music he creates is breathtakingly beautiful.
Ultimately, “The Enneagram should only be used to build others up and help them advance on their journey toward wholeness with God.(f)” And I’d love to add, to spur them on into confession, repentance, and sanctification through Christ Jesus.
I hope you enjoyed this perspective on the Enneagram! I know there are so many opinions out there, so please feel free to share in the comments?
What’s one takeaway you’ve personally learned from the Enneagram personality test?
xoxo,
Paulina
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Citations:
a. Cron, Ian Morgan, and Suzanne Stabile. The Road Back to You: an Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. InterVarsity Press, 2016.
b. Cron, Ian Morgan. “A Curious Theory of Unknown Origin.” The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, InterVarsity Press, 2016, p. 15.
c. Cron, Ian Morgan. “A Curious Theory of Unknown Origin.” The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, InterVarsity Press, 2016, p. 17.
d. Cron, Ian Morgan. “Finding Your Type.” The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, InterVarsity Press, 2016, p. 36.
e. Cron, Ian Morgan. “Finding Your Type.” The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, InterVarsity Press, 2016, p. 35.
f. Cron, Ian Morgan. “Finding Your Type.” The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, InterVarsity Press, 2016, p. 38.
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