When It's More Than A Fun Test: A Brief Peek Behind The Enneagram
I recently found myself fascinated with the Enneagram Type Personality Test. A lot of my favorite podcasters talk about it, my friends all talk about it, and I enjoy the Instagram posts and series. I thought it would be cool to do an article about it. I decided to look into the history of the enneagram. Where did it come from? How did it originate? Who developed it? How should Christians approach the enneagram?
I walked out of writing this article more uncomfortable and unsettled than I began.
Some reading may not know about the Enneagram. It’s a personality typing method that sets you in one of nine types. These types are used to help you better understand yourself and begin moving toward a healthier you.
The first ideas of the Enneagram were developed by George Gurdjieff in the early 1900s. He was a mystic and a philosopher who promoted teachings of self-development. Often he referred to his teachings and lifestyle as “The Work”, which meant the work on one’s self. He believed that inner development was critical to a person becoming all they were meant to be, or “tapping into their real potential.” He believed in latent potential, that we all needed to dig deeper to find our true strength and power. He used scripture out of context consistently to promote this idea of self-awakening.
He passed on the symbol of the Enneagram to another student who passed it onto another student by the name of Oscar Ichazo. Oscar Ichazo was the first to connect the Enneagram numbers into each other. He claims that the connection of the Enneagram points was given to him by the Archangel Metraton while he was high on drugs.
The Enneagram Institute was eventually founded in 1997 by the former Jesuit, Don Riso. He and Ross Hudson formed it to help others on their “path to self-knowledge.” The Enneagram was first widely popular among Roman Catholic circles. Together, Riso and Hudson wrote the book, “The Wisdom of the Enneagram.” It continues the same ideas and principles first supported by Gurdjieff.
“If we observe ourselves truthfully and non-judgmentally, seeing the mechanisms of our personality in action, we can wake up, and our lives can be a miraculous unfolding of beauty and joy.” - Don Riso
He often quotes new age teachers in the book, such as Andrew Harvey and Buddha as extra encouragements toward Enneagram teaching.
The discovery of your Enneagram type is presented as the solution to all of your problems. It side-steps a need for a savior and instead promotes an idea of self-redemption through self-improvement. Instead of God in centerstage, our soul-searching is given the spotlight for our time, energy, and resources.
This is not Christianity.
I read all of this and was shocked. I really enjoy all the cute Enneagram posts and the funny memes I share with my friends. Plus, it’s fun to get to talk in my community about, “It’s such a nine thing of me to do- and I know, he would totally do that because, sevens- right?!” I thought it could be separated from its origins, and left as a fun test. But the deeper I dug into the Enneagram, the weirder and more twisted the information became.
Was this really the gospel I was allowing to be preached to me? This gospel telling me that my best life was found in self-improvement? But, how was I supposed to live without the Enneagram?
When there is no Enneagram test, it’s this vast terrifying thought to wonder, “Who am I?” But a type makes it easy. “I’m a 6! I’ll like this show! I’ll do these things! I’ll decorate this way. I’ll work through these problems. I’ll make sure I do more of this!”
Having a personality type makes it easier to know how to grow yourself, and how to get rid of what is disrupting your own personal advancements. Which, isn’t that the main goal for enjoying life?
If the end goal of my life, according to the Enneagram teachings, is to become the fullest version of me- am I not me now?
What happens if I can’t fully express myself for who I am? Does that mean I lived a less fulfilled life? Did I waste my life because I didn’t focus on being entirely present and self-aware? Where does Jesus fit into any of this? What did he have to say?
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”- Luke 9:23-24
Don Riso would suggest that gaining life is the way to the most fulfilled life. But, Jesus challenges this thought. In order to follow God, the creator, we must begin by letting the concept of who we are, die. Paul talks about it a lot in his letters:
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”-Ephesians 5:1-2
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”- 2 Corinthians 3:18
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”- Galatians 2:20a
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,”- Philippians 2:12
The Bible never talks about the necessity to pursue self-understanding. In fact, quite the opposite. The Bible only ever affirms these unshakeable truths:
We were created by God, who created us to reflect His glory.
We sinned against God, and need a savior.
When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the worldly concept of self is buried.
We are occupied by the Holy Spirit, who is intent on making us into imitations of Christ.
The intention of our life is to become so much like Christ that when people meet us, they encounter Him.
The only thing we are working on in ourselves is allowing the Holy Spirit to shape us more into the image of Christ.
I think the question I found myself grappling with the most as I investigated this test, was simply:
“Is Jesus Christ enough for my identity?”
Our world is fascinated with the concept of identity and self-expression. I love it as much as the next person, but the more I study in scripture, the more I realize that God doesn’t desire us to become lost in the “who am I?” question. Over and over He says, “You are mine. If you are crucified with Christ, you are saved and you are part of my Kingdom. End of story.”
No one who was following Jesus ever stopped to ask, “Am I my most authentic self right now?”
When we are worshipping and obeying Jesus, we are one hundred percent, without a doubt, being our most authentic selves. We were created to worship! If we are worshipping and following, not only are we being our most authentic selves, we are living our most fulfilled lives as we live out what God designed us to do.
Sure, I like the Enneagram test, because it tells me what I need. It tells me who I am. It shows me what to do that will make me feel best.
But isn’t that what the Bible does? The Bible tells me I need Christ. I am His. I will do His work, and I feel best doing His work. It kind of takes the fun out of the wondering, but it sure takes the weight off of wondering if I’m doing enough on my own.
Maybe that’s you today. Maybe you need someone to tell you what your Instagram feed isn’t telling you right now.
It’s not on you.
It was placed on God, and you don’t have to worry about it. He outlines in scripture how to live, how to grow, how to live your fullest life. The test is fun and games, but don’t let it become the dictating compass in your life. You were created for a plan far more intricate and purposeful than the Enneagram will ever offer.
Enjoy the fun posts and memes, but be aware as you go. Listen to the messages, and notice what is being preached to you. Where are you placing your identity? Where are you going for rescue and direction?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mia Grace loves sunflowers, words, old hardcover books, and fountain pens. She adores Jesus Christ, and seeks to listen and obey him in her life. Her life verse is Isaiah 52:7, and her prayer is for every girl to grasp the height, weight, depth, width, and power of Christ's love for them.