Should Christians Use the Enneagram?
✔️ From a biblical perspective: No.
The Enneagram is often marketed as a tool for personality and self-understanding, but it is not a scientifically validated personality system—it is spiritual in both design and purpose. Its origins are rooted in esoteric spiritual practices involving the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and the use of that knowledge to gain insight into a person’s inner self. Scripture gives us a clear boundary regarding how God views the occult and lovingly directs us to seek wisdom and spiritual guidance from Him (Scripture and prayer), not from other spiritual sources. [1]
✔️ From a scientific perspective: No.
The Enneagram has not been established as a scientifically valid personality assessment. In a 2006 Delphi survey of approximately 94 psychologists, whose average experience was 33 years, found the Enneagram was among the methods rated as discredited. Subsequent research has continued to report mixed evidence regarding its reliability and validity. [2]
✔️ Why does this matter?
We have a tendency—often without realizing it—to let descriptions become definitions. What begins as a simple label can become the lens through which we view our identity.And once a label takes root, it begins shaping how we understand our behavior, our relationships, our struggles—and even what we believe is possible for growth and change.
Wrong descriptions → False definitions → Unbiblical conclusions → Real life implications
This is why the question is not simply whether a label seems helpful, but whether it is true. Our understanding of ourselves should be shaped by God’s Word, not by flawed descriptions that become false definitions. Scripture tells us who we are, exposes what needs to change, and directs us to Christ as our true hope for transformation. [4]
“but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21 📕
- Marcia Montenegro https://youtu.be/VZj4DUm-AHk?is=iPESIPnmlMS-oAD8
Drs Christopher Berg & Sean McDowell https://www.youtube.com/live/JCiwHyOYJbc?is=zLJaFGzSHWGkZCu5 - Delphi Poll https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228663686_Discredited_psychological_treatments_and_tests_A_Delphi_poll
- Dr. Jay Medenwaldt https://youtu.be/AJOyvUZcCDo?is=jT4m1aOuci47SJVh
- Veinot and Montenegro: Richard Rohr and the Enneagram Secret https://a.co/d/09Dr99ca
