Biblical Characters and the Enneagram

“There have been many books written on the theory, the psychological implications and the social uses of the Enneagram. But ‘Biblical Characters and the Enneagram’ provides another whole layer of understanding. This book not only provides new insights into the process of human development: it gives it human validity and spiritual ground as well. By using popular scriptural figures to demonstrate each of the personalities described, ‘Biblical Characters’ enables the reader to see a model of the type in action. The effects of the linkage are to enhance both psychological development and the spiritual life at the same time. The Scripture comes alive with current meaning and human development becomes a very spiritual thing. This book puts flesh on theory. Theorists, personal growth groups and retreatants will all see the Enneagram come alive here.”

– Joan Chittister, O.S.B., lecturer, columnist, and author of 21 books including her most recent, “The Friendship of Women: A Spiritual Tradition”

“A most welcome result of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) is greater use of the Bible by Roman Catholics for study, spiritual reading and prayer. Less known and more controversial is the proposal by some spiritual directors that the Enneagram is a useful ‘modern compass’ for the journey of personal transformation. This book combines these two movements by using the Enneagram to explore the spiritual journeys of 18 women and men met in Bible stories, thereby suggesting new ways ‘to lose ourselves in order to find ourselves’.” (Matthew 10:39).

– Bernard Daly, Ottawa, publisher emeritus of The Catholic Register

“I recommend this book to people who wish to be transformed in their relationship with the Divine. The book might well be entitled ‘A Meditation for Spiritual Knowledge of Self.’ By using various personalities of the Bible it invites us ‘to penetrate, to probe, and to experience in new ways the patterns of divine communication with human beings in all their complexity, frailty and strength, their sinfulness and their amazing potential, and their ultimate grandeur.’ May you find it as enlightening as I did.”

– John English, S.J., Director of Spiritual Exercises Programs, Winnipeg, and author of “Spiritual Freedom: From the Experience of the Ignatian Exercises to the Art of Spiritual Guidance”

“The book masterfully weaves Enneagram insights with biblical characters revealing God’s gentle hand in transforming compulsion into the image of God.”

– Carol Ann Gotch, Enneagram teacher, co-author of Soul Stuff

“Combining their probing interpretation of the nine personality types of the Enneagram with their lifelong love of the people we encounter in the Bible, the authors of this book have created a masterpiece of wisdom and insight. In their deft hands, the characters of the Bible become mirrors for ourselves, so that we come to know ourselves and discover the richness of experiencing God. Read this book and luxuriate in a personal awareness of God’s love for humanity.”

– Kathy Hurley and Theodorre Donson, Enneagram teachers and authors of “Discover Your Soul Potential, What’s My Type?” and “My Best Self: Using the Enneagram to Free the Soul”

“This is a breakthrough book, representing a dialogue between Biblical figures and the archetypal personality types of the Enneagram. It uses Biblical characters as models and mentors to lead us into greater insight into the human quest for the Divine. By investigating the psychology of Biblical figures, the authors take us to a new level of appreciation of both the Bible and the Enneagram. This book opens new and exciting paths for our continuing search for wisdom.”

– Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson, Enneagram teachers, authors of “The Wisdom of the Enneagram” and “Personality Types”

“‘Biblical Characters and the Enneagram’ incisively cuts into our personalities and helps us to see how we are — or are not — a reflection of the Creator. With biblical characters as our reference point, we learn how even our simple daily gestures take on a new meaning. The Enneagram is a useful tool in energizing us to build a spiritual transformation within ourselves. The object is the merging of our true self with God. This book takes us on an exciting, and mystical, journey.”

– Senator Douglas Roche, O.C.

“Like the dragnet of Jesus, these authors are pulling from the great sea things both old and new. This is very traditional teaching in a fresh and compelling form. A very helpful contribution to Judeo-Christian enneagram studies.”

– Richard Rohr, O.F.M, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, N.M., author of “The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective”

“For those interested in a psychological reading of Scripture, ‘Biblical Characters and the Enneagram’ will be a helpful resource. While not everyone will agree with such an approach, everyone will be challenged by this skilfully argued form of biblical interpretation.”

– Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Krister Stendahl Professor of Scripture and Interpretation, Harvard University Divinity School

“The Enneagram has proved a valuable tool for penetrating the healthy and unhealthy things that motivate me and my loved ones. In lucid language, this book creatively broadened my understanding of the Enneagram’s nine personality types. Written by three clear-headed practitioners (including a legendary Canadian bishop), it makes compelling links between the Enneagram’s personality types and major Biblical figures. It led me deeper into self-understanding and the Scriptures.”

– Douglas Todd, Religion and Ethics Writer, The Vancouver Sun





				Biblical Characters and the Enneagram: Images of Transformation The stories contained in the Bible are among the most compelling and meaningful known to humankind. They have been narrated and retold countless times, enriched by the accumulated wisdom of centuries of human experience. They provide an incomparable mirror in which each one of us can find our own personal reflection. The diversity of the biblical characters embraces the full range of human emotions, from the peaks of ecstasy to the dungeons of despair. As we compare our lives with those of the people of the Bible, we perceive better how God deals with us individually. We recognize the "nine faces of God" reflected in the many biblical models. Simple daily gestures take on new meaning when we walk in their footsteps. Personal reflection on these spiritual teachers can help us to understand ourselves and others in fresh and rewarding ways. In Biblical Characters and the Enneagram, the authors use the insights of a way of understanding personality known as the Enneagram, a system which reveals particular aspects and tendencies of our human psyche. Applied to some of the people we meet in the pages of the Bible, it can help us open the Scriptures to reveal

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				precious treasures of self-knowledge. Eighteen biblical "characters" are presented to us as models of transformation who show us that new paths of transformation, personal growth and spiritual development - even profound conversion of the heart - lie at our feet. They show us how the habitual masks we have all unconsciously learned to wear can be revealed for what they really are: pale and unsatisfactory imitations of our original inner beauty which reflects that of our Maker. The stories from the Bible encourage us to know our very Essence as sparks of the Divine. From them, we can learn how to embrace our real selves and discard the sham substitutes of our fabricated personalities. This book invites us to penetrate, probe, and experience in new ways the patterns of God’s communication with human beings in all our complexity, frailty, strength, and grandeur. It offers us models of right relationships in society as the Holy Ideas are embraced and applied to community life. Greater personal intimacy with God and with others awaits us if we let the energy of the inspired Scriptures captivate our hearts and minds and move us closer to our final destiny. To purchase BIBLICAL CHARACTERS AND THE ENNEAGRAM:Images of Transformation, click on “Book Orders” in the left column.

				What others say about “Biblical Characters and the Enneagram” “There have been many books written on the theory, the psychological implications and the social uses of the Enneagram. But ‘Biblical Characters and the Enneagram’ provides another whole layer of understanding. This book not only provides new insights into the process of human development: it gives it human validity and spiritual ground as well. By using popular scriptural figures to demonstrate each of the personalities described, ‘Biblical Characters’ enables the reader to see a model of the type in action. The effects of the linkage are to enhance both psychological development and the spiritual life at the same time. The Scripture comes alive with current meaning and human development becomes a very spiritual thing. This book puts flesh on theory. Theorists, personal growth groups and retreatants will all see the Enneagram come alive here.” – Joan Chittister, O.S.B., lecturer, columnist, and author of 21 books including her most recent, “The Friendship of Women: A Spiritual Tradition” “A most welcome result of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) is greater use of the Bible by Roman Catholics for study, spiritual reading and prayer. Less known and more controversial is the proposal by some spiritual directors that the Enneagram is a useful ‘modern compass’ for the journey of personal transformation. This book combines these two movements by using the Enneagram to explore the spiritual journeys of 18 women and men met in Bible stories, thereby suggesting new ways ‘to lose ourselves in order to find ourselves’.” (Matthew 10:39). – Bernard Daly, Ottawa, publisher emeritus of The Catholic Register “I recommend this book to people who wish to be transformed in their relationship with the Divine. The book might well be entitled ‘A Meditation for Spiritual Knowledge of Self.’ By using various personalities of the Bible it invites us ‘to penetrate, to probe, and to experience in new ways the patterns of divine communication with human beings in all their complexity, frailty and strength, their sinfulness and their amazing potential, and their ultimate grandeur.’ May you find it as enlightening as I did.” – John English, S.J., Director of Spiritual Exercises Programs, Winnipeg, and author of “Spiritual Freedom: From the Experience of the Ignatian Exercises to the Art of Spiritual Guidance” “The book masterfully weaves Enneagram insights with biblical characters revealing God’s gentle hand in transforming compulsion into the image of God.” – Carol Ann Gotch, Enneagram teacher, co-author of Soul Stuff “Combining their probing interpretation of the nine personality types of the Enneagram with their lifelong love of the people we encounter in the Bible, the authors of this book have created a masterpiece of wisdom and insight. In their deft hands, the characters of the Bible become mirrors for ourselves, so that we come to know ourselves and discover the richness of experiencing God. Read this book and luxuriate in a personal awareness of God’s love for humanity.” – Kathy Hurley and Theodorre Donson, Enneagram teachers and authors of “Discover Your Soul Potential, What’s My Type?” and “My Best Self: Using the Enneagram to Free the Soul” “This is a breakthrough book, representing a dialogue between Biblical figures and the archetypal personality types of the Enneagram. It uses Biblical characters as models and mentors to lead us into greater insight into the human quest for the Divine. By investigating the psychology of Biblical figures, the authors take us to a new level of appreciation of both the Bible and the Enneagram. This book opens new and exciting paths for our continuing search for wisdom.” – Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson, Enneagram teachers, authors of “The Wisdom of the Enneagram” and “Personality Types” “‘Biblical Characters and the Enneagram’ incisively cuts into our personalities and helps us to see how we are — or are not — a reflection of the Creator. With biblical characters as our reference point, we learn how even our simple daily gestures take on a new meaning. The Enneagram is a useful tool in energizing us to build a spiritual transformation within ourselves. The object is the merging of our true self with God. This book takes us on an exciting, and mystical, journey.” – Senator Douglas Roche, O.C. “Like the dragnet of Jesus, these authors are pulling from the great sea things both old and new. This is very traditional teaching in a fresh and compelling form. A very helpful contribution to Judeo-Christian enneagram studies.” – Richard Rohr, O.F.M, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, N.M., author of “The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective” “For those interested in a psychological reading of Scripture, ‘Biblical Characters and the Enneagram’ will be a helpful resource. While not everyone will agree with such an approach, everyone will be challenged by this skilfully argued form of biblical interpretation.” – Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Krister Stendahl Professor of Scripture and Interpretation, Harvard University Divinity School “The Enneagram has proved a valuable tool for penetrating the healthy and unhealthy things that motivate me and my loved ones. In lucid language, this book creatively broadened my understanding of the Enneagram’s nine personality types. Written by three clear-headed practitioners (including a legendary Canadian bishop), it makes compelling links between the Enneagram’s personality types and major Biblical figures. It led me deeper into self-understanding and the Scriptures.” – Douglas Todd, Religion and Ethics Writer, The Vancouver Sun