The Enneagram and the Biblical Counselor

by Rhenn Cherry

29 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Jennifer Trzeciak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The single most helpful sentence in the book is, “You cannot separate or divorce a system or tool from its theology” (24). I know that many believers think of the Enneagram as a harmless tool for categorizing personality and tendencies, but when you dig in and discover that the theology behind this tool is totally anti-Christian and anti-Scripture, we must, as Bible-believing people, not put any stock in its theories. Only God, in his Word, has revealed what is our true identity—that of being found in him.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good summary of past personality tests and connects the Enneagram to this long history, then walks through those who preach it and how it matches up to their anti-biblical theology. Very helpful

[Lauren Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting and very short read. I literally read it in one standing, not even one sitting.

I was underwhelmed by the end of it. I appreciated the theological concerns raised and the reminder of Biblical theology and how our identity in Christ and connection with the people of God is of so much greater value than finding another man-made identity and connection with a group of people who share whatever label a test may have given us. These were good points. But the handling of the Enneagram itself was poor. The author spent most of the time dealing with the bad theology of Richard Rohr, who has influenced the authors of some of the key books out there on the enneagram. But even this wasn't a serious treatment. Many beliefs were ascribed to Rohr without attribution. There were a few quotes from Rohr later in the booklet, after the logical case against his beliefs had already been made. This seems out-of-order. I'd prefer to have someone's beliefs established with citations BEFORE you lay out your case against them.

All that said, Rohr's beliefs (if rightly represented) are contrary to scripture, to orthodox evangelical Christianity. And this is important to consider when trying to decide whether the enneagram has any place in Biblical counseling or in the personal growth of a Christian. I do think there needs to be a much more thorough treatment of the Enneagram itself as it is used today and what is being said in the most popular books that promote it. There was perhaps one such book recommended at the end of this little booklet, so maybe that's the next step.

This little booklet may check the box for someone who's already in the amen corner. But if you're looking for a careful, in-depth evaluation, this will only whet your appetite for something more.

[Bulldog · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rather than giving an adequate analysis of the Enneagram as a system, identifying what the Enneagram itself claims, or breaking down the usefulness (or lack thereof) of the Enneagram, instead Rhenn Cherry focuses primarily on refuting the theological positions of Catholic priest Richard Rohr. Having read this little pamphlet, I am now a bit more familiar with Richard Rohr's views on original sin and the application of his panentheism, but I am no further at the end than at the start in terms of understanding the Enneagram and its application--whether benign or malignant--as relates to the evangelical Christian today and, particularly, as relates to Christian counseling.

It is entirely possible that Rhenn Cherry has made good and valid points, but the attributions made to the Enneagram--based solely on the theological positions of Richard Rohr--are very poorly supported in the text.

Overall, I cannot recommend this booklet to anyone - it appears to have failed in its intended purpose, and I cannot find a redeeming accidental benefit.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief start to understanding the origins of the enneagram. Basically, its man-made roots go against Scripture, so we should not subscribe to it.

Implications of this are…

“At its most basic level, the Enneagram magnifies self over God. It promotes a dangerous shift in focus away from discovering the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. And with this shift in focus comes a shift in hope away from the hope found in the truth of Scripture. Instead, the Enneagram leads people to embrace a subjective man-made solution of self-discovery instead of God-discovery.” In other words, “Enneagram theology promotes a false gospel. It focuses on man's own ability to gain self-knowledge and discover his good True Self using a man-made system. … Any means of salvation apart from the repentance of sin and saving faith in the work of the God-Man, Jesus of Nazareth, is by definition a false gospel.”