The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding human behavior and spiritual growth. The word “Enneagram” comes from the Greek words ennea (nine) and gramma (drawing or figure), referring to a nine-pointed diagram. While the Enneagram has gained popularity in recent years as a personality typology, its roots go much deeper.

A Brief History of the Enneagram

The Enneagram’s history is diverse and multifaceted. Here are a few key milestones:

• 4th Century: Early Christian monk Evagrius Ponticus identified eight “logismoi” (deadly thoughts) that hinder spiritual growth.
• 6th Century: Pope Gregory the Great revised this list into what we now know as the Seven Deadly Sins. 
• 13th Century: Franciscan theologian Ramon Llull created nine-pointed diagrams to explore virtues and vices.
• 20th Century: Mystic George Gurdjieff introduced the Enneagram symbol as a tool for understanding cosmic laws.
• 1950s-60s: Oscar Ichazo and Claudio Naranjo connected the Enneagram to nine personality types, leading to the modern Enneagram of Personality.

A Note on Controversy:

Some Christians have expressed concern about the Enneagram’s origins, particularly Oscar Ichazo’s claim that he received supernatural revelation about the connection between the Enneagram symbol and personality types while under a trance. While this part of the Enneagram’s history may make us uncomfortable, it’s important to remember that the Enneagram is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or ill.

In the Enneagram of Christlike Virtues (ECV), we’ve chosen to focus on the parts of the Enneagram that align with Christian tradition—such as the exploration of deadly sins and Christlike virtues—while setting aside elements that don’t align with our faith. Our goal is to use this framework as a tool for spiritual formation, not as a definitive or authoritative system.

The Shift to Christlike Virtues

Most Enneagram resources today focus on personality types, often labeling people as “Ones,” “Twos,” or “Threes.” While this approach can be helpful for self-awareness, it can also lead to rigid categorizations and a focus on fixing our personalities.

The Enneagram of Christlike Virtues (ECV) takes a different approach. Instead of focusing on personality types, it focuses on nine Christlike virtues—qualities of Jesus that we are called to embody. For example:

• Enneagram One represents not “The Perfectionist” but grace-filled righteousness.
• Enneagram Two represents not “The Helper” but humble love.

This shift from personality types to Christlike virtues invites us to ask, “How is the Holy Spirit at work in my life to make me more like Jesus?” rather than, “How can I become a better version of my type?”

Key Principles of the ECV Framework

The ECV framework is built on several key principles:

• It’s a Tool, Not a Prescriptive System: The ECV is a helpful guide, but it doesn’t claim to have all the answers.
• It’s About Communion with God, not Self-Improvement: The goal is not to fix ourselves but to grow in trust and intimacy with God.
• It’s a Starting Point, Not an Endpoint: The ECV is a framework for reflection and growth, not a final destination.

The Heart of Spiritual Formation

We define Christian spiritual formation as the lifelong journey of being transformed by the love of God the Father into the likeness of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we can love God and others. 

At its core, Christian spiritual formation is not about self-improvement or achieving specific outcomes. It’s about loving communion with God. As we open ourselves to the love of God the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, we are gradually transformed into the likeness of Jesus. This transformation is not something we achieve through our own efforts; it’s a divine work of grace.

The Apostle Paul writes, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This journey is dynamic and often unpredictable, filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. But through it all, God is with us, shaping us into the people He created us to be.

The ECV framework is designed to help us discern where God is at work in our lives, inviting us to deeper trust and surrender. It’s not about fixing ourselves but about abiding in God’s love and allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out.

Disclaimer: The ECV Framework as a Tool for Spiritual Formation

The Enneagram of Christlike Virtues (ECV) is a framework designed to help us grow in Christlikeness by exploring the interplay between deadly sins, Christlike virtues, and the unique ways God has gifted each of us. However, it’s important to remember that this framework is a tool, not a definitive or authoritative system for understanding all the elements and nuances of the spiritual journey. Think of it more as a field guide of the varieties of living things that grow in a garden of the soul, rather than a recipe to follow in order to grow spiritually.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind as we engage with this framework:

1. Not a Prescriptive System: The ECV framework does not claim that there are exactly nine deadly sins or nine divine virtues, nor does it suggest that these are the only ways to understand sin and virtue. The Bible offers many lists of sins (e.g., Galatians 5:19-21) and fruits of the Spirit (e.g., Galatians 5:22-23), and the ECV framework is not meant to replace or contradict these. Instead, it is a helpful tool for reflecting on our hearts and growing in trust and intimacy with God.
2. A Tool, Not a Transformation: The Enneagram, including the ECV framework, is a powerful tool in the hands of a master craftsman. But the tool itself does not transform—God does. The purpose of this framework is to help us identify areas where God is inviting us to deeper trust and surrender, but it is ultimately the Holy Spirit who works in us to bring about transformation.
3. Not a Personality Typology: Unlike the traditional Enneagram of Personality, the ECV framework does not label people as “Ones,” “Twos,” or any other type. Instead, it recognizes that everyone identifies with all nine numbers to varying degrees. This approach helps us avoid boxing ourselves or others into rigid categories and instead focuses on the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
4. A Starting Point, Not an Endpoint: The ECV framework is not meant to be an exhaustive or final word on spiritual formation. It is a starting point for reflection, prayer, and growth. We encourage you to use this tool in conjunction with other spiritual practices, such as Scripture meditation, prayer, and community, as you seek to grow in Christlikeness.
5. Grace and Flexibility: As with any tool, the ECV framework has its limitations. It is not a substitute for Scripture, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, or the wisdom of trusted mentors and communities. We invite you to engage with this framework with grace and flexibility, holding it loosely as you seek God’s leading in your life.

The goal of the ECV framework is not to provide all the answers but to point us to Jesus. By reflecting on our struggles (weeds), our gifts (seeds), and the virtues of Christ (fruits), we can better understand where God is inviting us to trust Him more deeply. This framework is meant to draw us closer to God, not to replace Him as the source of our transformation.

Small Group DIscussion

Discussion Questions:

• How do you feel about the Enneagram’s history, particularly the more controversial aspects? How does the ECV framework address these concerns?
• What do you think about the shift from personality types to Christlike virtues? How might this change your approach to the Enneagram?
• How can we ensure that our use of the Enneagram remains focused on spiritual formation rather than self-improvement?

Optional Group Activity:

• Scripture Reflection: Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 together and discuss what it means to be “transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory.” How does this verse connect to the ECV framework?