In the past, I've said the best introduction to the Enneagram from a Christian perspective is Richard Rohr's book. I think this one might be the new cIn the past, I've said the best introduction to the Enneagram from a Christian perspective is Richard Rohr's book. I think this one might be the new champion! Rohr's book is still wonderfully helpful, but I recall it being a bit more dense. This book is a bit of an easier read and thus targets a wider audience (and I think it has sold pretty well, so it seems to have succeeded).
Remember: The Enneagram is a tool of self-discovery! It is not a magic way to understand other people and put them in some sort of box. I have loved, and hated, seeing what the Enneagram reveals about myself. But that's kind of the point. If you're new to the Enneagram, or if you're already well-versed in it, this book is a good analysis of each of the types with some practical ways to use your understanding to take steps towards growth....more
I'm going to be doing some teaching on the enneagram this summer, leading our staff through it and helping them discern their number. Thus, I wanted tI'm going to be doing some teaching on the enneagram this summer, leading our staff through it and helping them discern their number. Thus, I wanted to read some more on it. This is a helpful book. If you're new to the Enneagram I wouldn't recommend it as there are shorter and easier to read books. I mean, it is layed out like a workbook (8x11 printing as opposed to smaller, normal book size). This large layout is not conducive to reading, but it is what you expect from a textbook. I didn't read everything on every number. But if you know, or want to know, the Enneagram and help others know it, this is a good tool....more
I think I've officially read too much about the enneagram this year. I have been fascinated by this and enjoyed learning about it. This book may be whI think I've officially read too much about the enneagram this year. I have been fascinated by this and enjoyed learning about it. This book may be when I jumped the shark and got bored. I guess the biggest challenge at this point is that they say you can't type other people yet this whole book is based on you assuming you know the types of other people. That said, still a decent offering if you want to learn more about the enneagram....more
Fun overview of the enneagram. If I was starting over in learning about this personality profile tool, I'd probably start here.Fun overview of the enneagram. If I was starting over in learning about this personality profile tool, I'd probably start here....more
I've become borderline obsessed with the Enneagram; it is an amazing tool for self-evaluation and self-growth. This book intrigued me because it gave I've become borderline obsessed with the Enneagram; it is an amazing tool for self-evaluation and self-growth. This book intrigued me because it gave a "Christian perspective" on what appeared to be simply a sort of personality profile. Also, I've wanted to read Richard Rohr for a long time.
Well, if you only read one book on the Enneagram, read this one! Rohr dives into the history of the Enneagram, finding roots in the desert fathers (Cassian and Evagarius) and the seven deadly sins. In essence, you take the seven deadly sins and add two more and you get the nine points of the Enneagram. Identify the sin that most pulls you and you find which point you are.
As I read their description of a 9 (easy-going peacemaker) I felt like I was reading a bio of myself, right down to my desire to retreat into laziness and sloth as a defense from the world (I'm tempted to sit in front of the TV right now and watch Fuller House...okay, not really). I think the Enneagram is a helpful tool that any person, and any pastor, could benefit from understanding. It sheds light not just on you but on people around you. That said, I think the greatest benefit is in understanding yourself.
Want to learn about the Enneagram? This is a good book to start - straightforward and simple. That said, the test they include to determine your numbeWant to learn about the Enneagram? This is a good book to start - straightforward and simple. That said, the test they include to determine your number is not very good. It is a series of two choices and you have to pick one ("I am often the leader of the group" vs. "I am often a loner") but for many of them I did not want to pick either. You can probably find better assessments online. Overall though, a nice summary of the types....more
I saw a friend mention this book on social media and the idea intrigued me so I checked it out. After reading it I am greatly interested in learning mI saw a friend mention this book on social media and the idea intrigued me so I checked it out. After reading it I am greatly interested in learning more about the enneagram for it seems incredibly useful. I drove my wife quite nuts talking about the whole thing. I ended up adding 3-4 more books to my amazon wishlist on this topic.
At the same time, I honestly did not read every word of the book. I skimmed each chapter to get a quick grasp on the personality type. I eagerly wanted to get to the chapters I thought I was. After reading, I am still not sure where I fit - 2, 9, or 1. Am I a helper, peacemaker or reformer? I read each of those chapters and see myself in each one in many ways. While I did not read every chapter, I definitely see using this book as a reference in the future.
This is the sort of book that people, like me, who work in Christian ministry greatly benefit from reading. We work with people and books like this one are about people, so that is reason enough. I know many churches already use different sorts of personality profiles for staff training and I am seriously going to push for our ministry to use it for both staff and volunteers. It definitely sheds a light on quite a bit about people....more
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