Introduction:
Many people have become excited about a new self-help tool called the Enneagram. It is promoted in Christian circles as a type of personality test and is used for a variety of purposes – including self-help, relationships, or marriages. One of the proposed purposes is to help people understand themselves and others better so that they can function better in life and have better interactions with each other.
What is the Enneagram? Is it just a personality test and a simple tool for help in daily life? Or is it more than that? Let us take a look.
First let us look at the picture of the Enneagram itself. Alongside it, we will look at the Pentagram. Just look at them and think about it for a minute.
Now we will go on to considering the Enneagram itself.
To the average person, it seems that each Enneagram type is simply a personality type, but to New Age teachers, each type is actually a “path to God” or a path to one’s “inner divinity.” With just a little research online, one can find that this “tool” is actually a “system,” a “key to self-knowledge,” a “path to enlightenment” and so on.
The idea of this “self-help tool” is this – if a person does something wrong or acts a certain way, they are really acting in their “false self,” not their “true self.” This tool is supposed to help them find who they actually are in their enlightened “true self.” Sadly, this replaces the Bible with a “cultural fulfillment,” something new to help them. Perhaps some want to use it as an aid with their Bible study. Maybe they just do not seem to be getting enough out of their Bible, so they go find a “deeper, more thoughtful structure,” like the Enneagram.
There is some disagreement as to the history of the Enneagram. Some attribute it to something developed centuries ago. The modern Enneagram is a more recently developed tool, but it could have its roots in the customs and thinking of centuries past as well. There is, after all, no new thing under the sun. (See Ecclesiastes 1:9) The original diagram did not have points indicating personality traits but was considered to be a diagram through which one could view cosmic reality.
Richard Rohr (who wrote the Enneagram: A Christian Perspective, along with Andreas Ebert), is the one who was instrumental in bringing this “tool” into the churches. First, it was used in progressive Christian churches. Now it is becoming more and more popular in other churches and Christian circles as well. Richard Rohr is a Catholic priest who adheres to progressive ideology and New Age teaching. He calls himself a Christian but is really a heretic who blasphemes God. He says “Deus” is like “Zeus,” that it is the same concept or the same word. He says, “Our concept of God never moved much beyond Zeus, and Zeus was throwing down thunderbolts on those he didn’t like.” Richard Rohr also denies the trinity and blasphemes God, saying, “We thought we knew God, so we sort of pushed Jesus into the place of the trinity… to formally say Jesus is God is bad theology, is incorrect. You no longer have a God who is in the flow of everything, but ‘a Being’ instead of ‘being itself.’”
A clip of Richard Rohr speaking starts at about 30:25 and goes to 32:04 in this video.
One big problem with use of the Enneagram is that the end goal is to find purpose within self and not within Scripture. It sets aside the word of God for self. “It has helped me,” or “It has helped other people” is not a proper reason to use it. A Christian should be held to the standard of the word of God, the standard placed on them because of Jesus Christ.
You can learn a little more about this introductory information on the Enneagram by watching this video.
A Further Look
Who uses the Enneagram? Well, it is being used in churches, by pastors, by youth pastors. It has been incorporated into Liberty University’s curriculum. Some home businesses have begun using it in their training as well.
But it looks so good! That is one of the problems with it. The Enneagram is the result of merging truth and error. Truth does not need help. It can and must stand alone. Truth plus error merged together equals error.
Christians do not need the Enneagram to grow closer to God. Here is the secret to growing closer to God – “16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16,17) The word of God is truth and is sufficient unto itself.
Think about it. Either the Bible is sufficient or it is not.
More information can be found here.
A big problem with the Enneagram is that it is New Age spiritism disguised as Christianity. If you want to know the truth, it cannot be found in the Enneagram.
One of the things this tool does is to teach you to learn yourself. There is danger in learning yourself. The Bible says, “A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” (Proverbs 18:2)
When one looks at the Enneagram and at the Pentagram, one can see a striking similarity. The Enneagram is similar to the Pentagram but has a third triangle in it, although two of the triangles are not complete. The Enneagram has nine points, while the Pentagram has five. Just a look at the Enneagram should raise a red flag that something is wrong with it.
One of the problems with this self-help “tool” is that it was passed down to people by channeled spirits. We will look more into that in a little bit. The Old Testament law instituted the death penalty for people with familiar spirit or people who are wizards. (Leviticus 20:26,27) Some Christians argue, “We are under grace now, not under the law.” But God has not changed His character one bit. He still says, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” (Isaiah 42:8) God does not take it lightly when His glory is given to someone or something else. The reasoning that “We are under grace, not under law” is not an excuse to sin.
One of the deceptions of this tool is that it convinces you that you can better yourself and gain knowledge. See Genesis 3:5. This is the same lie that Satan used to deceive Eve, and he is still using it today.
Satan’s promises –
1. More knowledge;
2. You will be a better person;
3. You can have more.
Women are more easily deceived by this tool. This brings to mind the following verses about false teachers and teachings.
“5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
(II Timothy 3:5-7)
One sign of a false teaching is that it takes one on a journey of ever learning but never being able to come to a solid conclusion or to come to the knowledge of the truth. It is changeable.
Learn more here.
Some use the Enneagram as a disciple making tool. They say it helps us see our brokenness and our need for a Savior. The word of God is sufficient to show us our brokenness and need for a Savior. It says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) Jesus can make us whole without the help of a “tool” called the Enneagram. Jesus’ help is even better than that of an angel. Consider the following verses – Mark 2:17; Mark 5:34; Luke 5:31; John 4:35; John 5:4-15.
Given by Channeled Spirits
A man by the name of Claudio Naranjo claims that the personality types for the Enneagram were given to him through automatic writing. Automatic writing occurs when a channeled spirit takes over a person and literally takes control of their pen or their keyboard and does the writing for them. This is information given through a person by familiar spirits. This should be a warning flag also. Isaiah 8:19,20 says, “19) And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? 20) To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Looking to an Enneagram to find out who you are is similar to looking to star signs or astrological signs to find out who you are.
Some consider the Enneagram to be a “sacred map of your soul.” It presents a false gospel. Paul tells clearly what happens to those who preach another gospel and deceive others with it. “6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
(Galatians 1:6-8)
When introduced to churches and Christians, the Enneagram is often disguised as part of the “finding your identity in Christ” movement. There was one ad that told people they could find the hidden identity in their name for only $39. That was supposed to be a $20 discount. This “tool” really just makes merchandise of people. II Peter 3:3 warns about such false teachers, “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
The Bible already clearly tells us our identity in Christ if we have trusted in Him as our Savior. Consider the following verses:
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” (I Peter 2:9)
Another problem with the Enneagram is that it mixes the holy with the profane. That is not OK. A look through the book of Leviticus will show how serious God takes it when the holy is mixed with the profane.
Learn more here.
There are a few more problems with the Enneagram.
Often it starts to take place of the gospel and the Bible. People start talking more about it than about the gospel.
It is used by some instead of the Bible to help with marriages. Couples will tend to run to it when they have a problem rather than looking into the Scripture. The real problem is that we are not respecting God; we do not take Him seriously.
A former astrologer, Marcia Montenegro, said that this is an exact parallel to astrology.
There are at least twenty-seven Enneagram titles (b00ks) from what are viewed as “Evangelical publishers.”
With one couple who had used the Enneagram for a while and then stopped using it, the husband made this interesting observation about the contrast between the “nine personality types” and the “fruit of the Spirit”
Fruit of the Spirit – inclusive; qualities that bring unity among the body of Christ
Nine types of the Enneagram – exclusive, or divisive; qualities that set us apart and divide us from each other in the body of Christ.
How did the Enneagram get such a foothold in churches and Christian circles?
The tendency to “self-orientation” had already started in the churches before the Enneagram came along. It has been encouraged by “a love for self;” it promotes confidence in the flesh; and it comes along with a “me-centered gospel.” It is all about “self.”
Here I will share a video which I would encourage, even beg you to watch. Again, this is not an endorsement or indication of agreement with the producers of this video. However, the video does contain some very important and helpful information. Below this video, I will share one more look at the Enneagram, a “practical” look.
A “Practical” Look at the Enneagram
We can see the Enneagram in some of its practical use by taking a look at the website https://whitesideworkshops.com/ .
One quote from this website reads,
“The Enneagram is a powerful and dynamic psychological, relational, and spiritual system that has the extraordinary capacity to unlock our unconscious, mapping the way to a deep and compassionate understanding of ourselves, others, and the world. Barbara believes that the Enneagram, when truly understood, is far more than a personality typology.”
One service that Barbara offers with the Enneagram is called Family Constellations. What is Family Constellations?
Quotes from the page on this subject should give a little idea.
Quote from top of page
“We have to live in a way that liberates the ancestors and future generations who are inside of us. Joy, Peace, Freedom, and Harmony are not individual matters.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Explanation of “family constellation therapy,” which can be done using the Enneagram.
“…It is about the ‘unknown’ that you and your family, through transgenerational engagement, can make contact with and heal. It is an extraordinary method for revealing and healing traumas and misfortunes from past generations that may be influencing you and your family today. It is a process that brings to light, and then heals, our inheritance of pain, habit, recurring family issues, relationship patterns and entanglements. What also gets represented on occasion might be something like an illness, or a country that was left in a hurry due to war or famine, or loss of money or property… the individual is understood in the context of her transgenerational (or epigenetic) family lineage. Every individual is part of a Family Energy Field, in which there are conscious and also unconscious influences.”
This, folks, is frightening. It is, at the least, a process of divining. One also wonders if it does not touch on necromancy (communication with the dead).
What does the Bible says about these and other types of witchcraft? “10) There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11) Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12) For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
What happens to those who do these things? It will lead them only to darkness
“20) To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. 21) And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward. 22) And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.”
(Isaiah 8:20-22)
The Enneagram can be accurate because Satan has been watching us and observing our personalities, sins, etc. Therefore, he makes it look like truth. He is so deceptive. Please do not be snared in his trap.