The Enneagram Type 1: The Moral Perfectionist

The Enneagram Collection #1

by Beth McCord

The Enneagram Collection is for anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of their Enneagram type. The Enneagram Type 1: The Moral Perfectionist is an interactive book that focuses on those who have a core desire to have integrity and to be good, balanced, accurate, virtuous, and right. The book explores the unique motivations, longings, strengths, and weaknesses of a Type 1. The Enneagram Type 1: The Moral Perfectionist is a great self-assessment resource for all spheres of life, including: Author Beth McCord teaches readers how to transform self-limiting behaviors into life-enhancing personal empowerment. Books from The Enneagram Collection are great for anyone newly interested in the Enneagram or longtime Enneagram enthusiasts. Inside readers will find: This ancient personality typing system identifies nine types of people and how they relate to one another. The system helps people discover what motivates them, their fears, and how best to interact with others. Not a Type 1 or want to learn about the other Enneagram types? Check out the rest of The Enneagram Collection by Enneagram coach, author, and speaker Beth McCord.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Christian, Christianity

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 10, 2019

About the author

Beth McCord, founder of Your Enneagram Coach, has been an Enneagram speaker, coach, and teacher for more than fifteen years. Having been trained by the best Enneagram experts and pouring hundreds of hours into advanced certifications, Beth is passionate about coming alongside individuals and helping them rewrite their story, allowing them to see that lasting change, meaningful relationships, and a life of deep purpose are possible. Beth lives outside of Nashville and has been married to her best friend, Jeff, for 23 years, and they have two teenage children.

Reviews

[abigailscupoftea · Rating 4 out of 5]

i felt so understood by this book. 🥲 i highly recommend to my fellow type 1s! i love how the author pointed everything back to God, and that there is space in the book to journal any thoughts or feelings. 🌼

[Lilly Fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Julia Hannigan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love my 1’s <3333 I didn’t think the book was good though

[Savannah Faraci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confirmed I am not a 1

[Leslie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Admittedly, I am struggling with how to review this book. In general, it is laid out to go step-by-step in examining one Enneagram type, which includes pages to journal and answer questions about yourself. Beth McCord makes a good attempt at tying Christian concepts with the Enneagram. (This is what the book promises and what it does a decent job at. Based on that, I guess I should rate it a 3-star or higher.)

However, this is where I have to say, “Hold on.” Since most readers of this particular series are likely Christians and this is a book targeting them to learn to be their best selves, I believe it is important to point out that while there are some biblical truths laid out in this book, there are also some red flags.

First, anytime someone says “the gospel and ______ (fill in the blank),” it’s time to sit up and take notice of what’s being said. McCord is very open about the gospel (although there is not a single reference to a Bible verse anywhere). However, many times she expresses that AFTER we understand our type, then we will understand God better. “Receiving God’s truth and learning about the Enneagram will give you a deeper and richer understanding of who you are and Whose you are.” (Note: it’s God’s truth AND the Enneagram, according to McCord.)

While I enjoy a good personality test, there are dangers in taking a “tool” like this to the extent that it is being taught here.

“The purpose of the Enneagram is to awaken self-awareness and provide hope for growth. Once we learn why each Type thinks, feels, and acts in specific ways, we can look at ourselves with new understanding. Then we can depend on God in new ways to reshape us. The Enneagram makes us aware of when our heart’s motives are good and we are on the best path for our personality Type, and when our heart is struggling and veering off course. The Enneagram is an insightful tool, but God’s truth is what sets us free and brings transformation.” There is enough biblical truth in this paragraph alone to make this deceptive to the reader. Again, it’s a “gospel and _____” message.

Does the Enneagram have a stronger work in my life than the Holy Spirit or the scriptures? The book hints at that suggestion throughout, and then will backtrack and say that the Holy Spirit is doing the transformative work. Yet again the author states that it’s the Holy Spirit AND the Enneagram: “With Him you can move toward growth, using all the tools of the Enneagram...to bring out the very best in you, the way God designed you to be.”

My bottom-line opinion (for what it’s worth): learning what your type is can be fun and even insightful in some ways. There will be some truths about yourself detailed in the type. However, when there is any amount of deception or a smattering of false ideas in with the truth, as followers of Jesus we should turn and run from it. Giving the Enneagram this much power in our lives is a dangerous waste of time.

[Jill Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely more of a devotional than a book about the type, filtering information about the Enneagram through the lens of faith. Super valuable as a tool to work through weaknesses and misconceptions about your type in light of the redemptive value of God's love, and to work toward actualizing to the healthiest version of your type in light of discovering, introspection, and healing. The book itself is lovely--great graphical treatment and a nice, sturdy feel. Made to be used, and made to last!

[Katie Norris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that it was a Christian perspective about your enneagram number. Some sections were over the top, fluff, cheesy, analyzed things a little too much, etc.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that it pointed back to God and clearly explained what then enneagram is and is not. I appreciated the metaphor that our weaknesses and negative personality traits are a rumble strip to alert us that we are not living our most abundant life through Christ. This book was extremely therapeutic as far as self examination, but the terms and complexity of different aspects the enneagram felt a little too horoscopish/to me. I’m conflicted since it did bring more awareness to my shortcomings continually pointed back to God.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely some parts I would eliminate and some fluff here and there, but on the whole, a really good walk through the 1 on the Enneagram. I found myself resonating with so many aspects of how she put things, both good and bad. Helpful tool.

[Madison Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

While spending the past year and a half learning about myself through the lens of the Enneagram, this devotional was everything I needed and more! It helped me truly grasp my motivations, fears, desires, weaknesses, and longings. It showed me how the Lord has fulfilled them all and continues to work in me! I highly recommend this devotional, especially if you know your Enneagram Type! She has one for all 9 types. I think the Lord is working through these to help individuals better understand how He’s wired us all and how He fulfills our lives completely!

[Ryne Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been on a journey the past few years of reading about the Enneagram. I was excited about the thought of a devotional specifically written to my type. Unfortunately, I never really connected with this. Many of the days felt much more written to all types than to just Enneagram 1's. Some days were helpful and had good questions at the end. But overall, it felt lacking from what I hoped it would be.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't perfect. Sometimes, it feels a little simplistic and almost condescending. However, I love that it presents the Enneagram from a strong gospel perspective and asks the reader to participate in some self-examination. (I also love how McCord approaches the paths of the enneagram: in security or stress, we can go to the unhealthy or healthy traits of the number we travel to.) There is a separate book for each of the Enneagram types and they are now all on the Hoopla app.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was part journal, part devotional, part informational, and I really loved it! I think taking a step back to examine who we really are in our relationship with God is important, and this book really opened that avenue up for me.

[Britteny Faber · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are not faith based this really won’t apply to your life. I found some stuff enlightening but honestly could have found that on Instagram. Was my bad for buying it without realizing it was all about God.

[Brooks Lemmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was originally planning to buy this book and read it, but when I saw that the audiobook was only a little over an hour long I decided to just listen to it while on a walk.

I have read a variety of articles and pdfs about the enneagram and my specific type (Type 1). Most resources are about the same. They address motivations, fears, longings, desires, growth, stress, etc.

This book is part of a 9 book series on each enneagram type. When I first started the book I began to roll my eyes. It seemed as though the author wrote a template book and then filled in the blanks with the information that was specific to each type. At first I thought this was lazy, but then the content of the book began to speak to me.

A problem I have with the enneagram is that oftentimes people do not take the Gospel into account when studying it. Instead of writing about "levels of development" the author wrote about how aligned we are to Christ and its affects on our life. Another chapter that really made me think was "Childhood Message." This chapter leads the reader (or listener) into some reflection on their childhood and how certain events or upbringings could have affected their personality.

This book reads like a journalling exercise and it listens like an in-depth podcast. I recommend!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

McCords’ approach here is very interesting - a biblical perspective of the enneagram types. Identifying your type’s strengths and weaknesses, recognizing when you’re at your worst and best, and ultimately growing in the way God created you to be.
I didn’t agree with 100% of her points, but I loved her concept. This series would probably be good for someone who has a thorough understanding of the enneagram types, and is ready to build upon their knowledge by using a biblical approach.

[Lynnaea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is sort of a devotional/journal version of an enneagram primer for someone who knows their type but essentially knows nothing about the enneagram (which is probably a pretty rare person given you need to delve pretty deep into the system to learn your type!). I liked the ideas and her explanations were very clear and impactful. However, the simplicity just didn't work for me. This book has little to add for someone who is wanting to delve deeper into "growth".

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best resource I’ve come across

I really appreciate this sensitively and wisely written book. It hits the nail on the head in terms of my experience and gives such practical steps. I think it has made all the difference to me in the last few months. The fact that it comes from a deep Christian faith perspective means you can apply spiritual truths not just good advice.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for people who are just being introduced to their Enneagram type and enjoys journaling and self-reflection. I have read several other books on the enneagram and know quite a bit about my own type, so nothing here was new. I also HATE self-reflection, so this isn't really meant for me.

[Sidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried three times in the first 30 pages. While this is one book in a set of 9, I’m sure that Beth’s insight into your enneagram type will hit the nail on the head and help you understand yourself better, in light of Gods redeeming love! Grab your type book as soon as you can!

[Adrienne Fike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and thought-provoking. Take the time to think through the questions, reflect, and record your answers to allow this journal to be as helpful as possible. Very thankful for the conversations that were sparked internally and with others as a result of this book.

[Tammie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome help

This book was a great help to me in understanding my enneatype. I love the way Beth McCord points to Christ and his forgiveness and love. It is Him we look to to know how we should live.

[Tim Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful overview of the tendencies of the 1 from a gospel-centered perspective. This book is not content to leave you as you are but to move you forward into Christlikeness.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not intended to be an audiobook and doesn’t work at all for this medium

[Ann Charles Vegdahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this book was a bit all over the place. But good content though

[Alyssa Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Apparently you can fill an entire book by saying the same thing repeatedly.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It does provide some great insight specific to you. It also still points you to the Father.

[Maddie Messick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the religious aspect of this book

[Carl Wunsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read for better understanding myself as a type 1.