I discovered that BOTH the Ennegram Personality Profiler and one of the Contemplative Prayer Mystic leaders Thomas Keating both promote the idea of the true self vs the false self. In the Ennegram taught at Baptist Theological Seminary, one can find the true self ONLY by using the Enneagram. The implications of this theology are staggering. It would mean that neither the Bible or the Holy Spirit (which is sharper than any two-edged sword) is capable of revealing our "true self". So by deduction, either the Bible can only reveal the false self, or NOTHING. How more blasphemous could this be...yet it all done in the Name of Jesus....more Schlock in the name of a "deeper" walk and "inner" being.

See article regarding the Enneagram below.

Kindest regards in Christ,

James Sundquist

President

Rock Salt Publishing

****************

January 25, 2004

To:

Tom Graves

President

BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT RICHMOND

3400 Brook Road

Richmond, Virginia 23227

Dear Dr. Graves,

I trust that you received my letter of appeal to you concering Dr. Israel Galindo and the promoting of the Enneagram at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. I am still hopeful to hear from you regarding your position on the Enneagram and your intentions regarding its use and further promotion at your seminary.

In Dr. Galindo's own words he states in his Myth of Competence article:

"and a lack of fully realized self-differentiation, or self-actualization."

Self Actualization is well known and implement New Age term and principle and has as one its major tap roots Psychologist Abraham Maslow. This was one of Maslow’s favorite tenets: self-actualized people perceive reality more directly, more accurately. Well it might have been one of Maslow's tenets, but it certainly is not a Scriptural tenet. It goes hand in glove with Self-Realization, a linchpin in Tony Robbins unbiblical Theology. "Maslow, Abraham: The term "self-actualization" has been popularized by this man. The underlying assumption is that man is basically good and has within himself all he needs to develop his full potential to be a worthwhile individual; i.e., to self-actualize. Maslow is also noted for developing a hierarchy of motivational needs, including both physiological and psychological ones. The physiological were more primary in his thinking." Source: http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/methods.htm

Furthermore, the Ennegram is supposed to tell your your "true self", from your "false self". This concept is totally unsupported Biblically and there is not even one single example of it in Scripture. Our true nature is already revealed to us in Scripture and Jesus himself already tells us what comes out of the heart of man which defiles him. And it is the role of the Scripture throught the process of Salvation and Sanctification via Holy Spirit to fix us WHO searches our heart sharper than any two-edged sword, and certainly sharper than any pagan/occult based Ennegram can reveal. It is a person (The Holy Spirit) that does this not a THING (Enneagram diagram or a subjective numerology based hocus pocus.

I thought you might also need to have further documentation that the Enneagram is completely not-compatible with Christianity.

The Enneagram

By Craig Branch

Some of the most prolific growth of the New Age Movement has been in the areas of psychology and medicine.

One significant factor in understanding this is that these are helping professions. People who are in pain, physically and emotionally (and there are millions), are the more vulnerable because they are more desperate for help.

Humans are fallen people with a sinful nature and are intensely interested in themselves, egocentric. And in their insecurity people are also very interested in knowing about themselves, others, and even the future, in order to have more control.

But instead of looking solely to God and his revealed wisdom and truth in Christ Jesus, humans tend to look instead to the creation and Satan's counterfeits. Someone astutely commenting on the New Age distortion observed that man, instead of pursuing God, is pursuing the image of God.

This can be seen in many concrete examples. Millions of Americans believe that astrology is scientific, and over half of Americans read their horoscopes daily. People believe in I Ching, Tarot cards, palm readers, crystals, reflexology, iridology, color therapy, subliminal tapes, etc.

People are flocking to New Age self-help, human potential seminars like Scientology/Dianetics, Tony Robbins Seminars, S.A.G.E., John Bradshaw's Inner Child seminar, etc. In this same vein, a growing number of Americans are expressing an interest in the study of the Enneagram.

The Enneagram is an occult oriented chart or diagram with many points and lines inside and touching a circle. The chart purports to describe nine different personality types, and therefore, nine approaches to the perception and response to reality.

Well-known psychic Helen Palmer writes in her book, The Enneagram, that "The teaching can help us to recognize our own type and how to cope with our issues, understand our work associates, lovers, friends, and to appreciate the predisposition that each type has for higher human capacities such as empathy, omniscience, and love". Enneagram is one of the few models of consciousness that addresses the relationship between personality and other levels of human capability.(p. 3).

Although the Enneagram has a few variables depending on which authority is used, the trend is to present nine intuitive styles of personality, and the nine psychological diagnostic categories which appear in the DSM III (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual III). This is an attempt to give the enneagram scientific credibility and validity.

Workshop participants are given a series of personality assessment questionnaires which are standardized with the program, over a period of 3 days to a week. The questions and resulting analysis are part of the esoteric/occultic tradition of the enneagram.

The participant is then asked if the analysis, and other corresponding number on the chart, fits their perception or personality. Most will agree and then the lessons on behavior and perceptions are given.

The goal is supposed to lead to self-enlightenment which leads to authentic personal freedom on a level never before experienced. These enneagram workshops are being offered in more and more Catholic parishes and retreat centers throughout the country.

The roots of the enneagram can be traced to two men: George Gurdjieff and Oscar Ichazo. Both men were involved in occultic pursuits. Guurdjiieff learned of the enneagram from a sect of Sufis (mystical Islam). The Sufis used the enneagram for numerological divination. Oscar Ichazo later developed a personality theory around the enneagram and added it.

Ichazo was deeply involved in psychedelic drugs, shamanism, yoga, even studying mysticism in India and Tibet. Ichazo has received instructions from a higher entity called Metatron and members of his group are guided by an interior master, the Green Qu'Tub.

Another leading figure in the enneagram movement was psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo, associated with the New Age experimental Esalen Institute.

There are many myths associated with the enneagram. One myth has to do with the alleged antiquity of the program when it actually dates in the 1960's. Another is that it is scientific. Like many New Age practices, its leaders are always trying to assign scientific credentials, but none exists.

And the most important myth is that it can be adapted to fit Christianity. Catholic* charismatic lecturer Dorothy Ranaghan has written a well-researched booklet, A Closer Look at the Enneagram, and asks the important question, "If the enneagram is unscientific, esoteric, taken from a contemporary sycretsit version of Islamic mysticism and tainted with the occult, how is it that many Christians have bought into the system so wholeheartedly?" (p. 37)

One obvious reason is that Christians are not students of the word of God, the source of all truth for matters of faith and practice. SOURCE: http://www.watchman.org/reltop/ennegram.htm

******************************

*Finally, It is tragic that it would be some Roman Catholics that have done their homework to expose the Ennegram for what it is and its true roots and character, that more Evangelical Christians did not step up to the plate as good Bereans and Stewards of Gods' Word. But God can even speak through Balaam's Ass to get our attention, if need be. But what is even more tragic is that once presented with the irrefutable evidence that the Enneagram collides with Scripture, that teachers who are held to a stricter accounting, would contintue to teach it and refuse correction!

Since I received a letter from Dr. Daniel Bagby, one of your professors, who apparently thought my correspondence was intended for you as the President, I think it only fair and in order to provide you with my response to his letter re the Enneagram and Dr. Galindo's promotion of it at your Seminary, which I have included below.

The final blasphemy is that in the Enneagram's own definition (see definition at the bottom of this email), it declares itself to be a "technology or system of human development, self-discovery, spiritual growth." Sorry that role and title is already taken by the Lord Himself, and his training manual is His Scripture. God is a jealous God and will have no other gods before him. That is how we achieve spiritual growth...through the strait gate...

"Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:14-15

So I can not fathom how your seminary can countenance the promotion of the Enneagram!

And regarding the children (young adults) you are offering the Enneagram to at your seminary, I submit this warning:

"It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." Luke 17:2

I hope and pray you take this seriously. I await your reply.

Kindest regards in Christ,

James Sundquist

President

Rock Salt Publishing

*****************************************************************************

Dear Dr. Bagby,

Thank you for your reply. I did not think you were the President of BTSR. I know that, according to your website, it is Tom Graves who is the President. But it is also true that I am trying to send this alarm and appeal to the President of the Seminary. But because of its urgency, I also sent this letter to every individual faculty member. I am quite familiar with II Timothy 2:22-26. If there were a fire in the theatre, would you only warn the manager of the theatre, particularly if he were unresponsive? Are we to remain silent when strange fire is being presented at the altar? But Paul would never have condoned Divination, Numerology, or any magic arts, which is precisely what the Enneagram Personality Profile is, as I well document. Certainly you are not suggesting that Paul did not oppose this and command us to expose it in the Church. If you are so passionate about "having nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations", then why is your Seminary having anything to do with the foolish and ignorant speculations of the Enneagram?

If you are familiar with II Timothy 2:22-26, then I am sure you must also be aware of Paul's other Scriptures which commands us to warn a heretick twice, then having nothing to do with him.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." Romans 16:17

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

The Enneagram is heresy. Surely you must agree that there must be some absolute criteria by which we determine what heresy in fact is? Finally, without the truth, it is impossible to "pursue justice, integrity, love and peace." So, I am glad that you quote this passage:

2Ti 2:25

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

But the rest of the passage is equally important:

2Ti 2:26

And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

The Enneagram is simply not Truth! To truly pursue peace, justice, integrity and love, you (and I) must tell the truth to Dr. Galindo! The whole idea and goal of our instruction is to FREE him from the snare of the devil. Of course the Apostle Paul is absolutely correct when he admonishes us to have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant questions. But the key words here are "foolish" and "ignorant". Paul even gives examples of these foolish and ignorant arguments such as arguing over days and diet, myths and endless geneaologies. But he would never say disputes which stray from Sound Doctrine were foolish or ignorant.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

In fact it is even this very context that Paul then commands us:

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

If that were true he would never have opposed Peter, never have opposed Philetus and Hymaneus. If that were true he would never have named names and said that these false teachers must be silenced in the Church who are ruining whole households (and households of God). We could never oppose anything...all a brother or Christian teacher has to say is simply you are causing division because you won't allow me to proceed with my vain stronghold of imagination. If opposing me for opposing the teaching of the Ennegram, how is it that you are then exempt from engaging in defending its' teaching, aren't you then quarreling with me? If you believe any engagment is causing quarrels then you should remain silent too! But the fact is, the day we become Christians we surrender the right to remain silent in the fact of false teaching in the Church. So if I am bearing false witness you SHOULD oppose me. But I am not bearing false witness. I bear witness to the truth. So, instead of closing ranks with your fellow professor, you should close ranks with the truth! And in the end you are not serving him by remaining silent in the face of his false teaching!

The answer is that Dr. Galindo must repent from promoting the validity of the Ennegram at your Seminary and you must do everything you can to so persuade him. You may not have the direct authority to do so, but you can still exercise Matthew 18 with him. Finally I pray that your response and his is not what Paul had to lament with the Galatian Church that he was now therefore the enemy because I tell you the truth!" "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" Galatians 4:16

If there remains any doubt in your mind that I bear witness to the truth as to the pagan/occult foundation of Personality Theory & Profiling, I invite you to read the following documentary:

http://www.abrahamic-faith.com/James/Carl%20Jung%20part%201.html

In particular read:

The HIstory of Personality Profiling:

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/temper.htm

Rev. Hird's report: CARL JUNG, NEO-GNOSTICISM, & THE MBTI

If in fact, we are to take your admonition of II Tim 2 22-16 (AND WE SHOULD) there has to be some absolute mechanism by which we determine what even constitutes " foolish and ignorant speculations" so they we can avoid them. Isn't that mechanism the Bible itself, including all of the passages that where we are warned about deception, false teachers, by Jesus, Paul, Peter, John & Jude?

If the Ennegram is a doctrine of a demon and seducing spirit, would eradicating it from your Seminary constitute engagin in foolish and ignorant speculations? Or would it simply be obedience to the command to purge this leaven from your midst?

Kindest regards in Christ,

James Sundquist

President

Rock Salt Publishing

****

From: daniel bagby

To: 'James Sundquist'

Cc: israel galindo

Sent: Friday, January 23, 2004 5:29 PM

Subject: RE: BTSR Promoting Enneagram vs. Father Pacwa vs. Christianity article

Dear Mr. Sundquist: I received your e-mail--and it appears that you believe I am the President of the seminary here. I am not. I am a professor here. Thank you for your interest in our ministry. Since I am admonished in Scripture to "have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations," because, as the apostle says, they "only breed quarrels"-- (II Timothy 2:22-26)--I will do as he says, and "pursue justice, integrity, love, and peace" (2:22). Shalom-- may God bless. DB

*********************

DEFINITION:

ENNEAGRAM: (Source: http://www.ennea.com/what_is.htm

The word Enneagram is of Greek origin and refers to a diagram with nine points or lines. "Enneagram" is the name of the system of knowledge as well as its symbol.

The Enneagram is an ancient teaching of mysterious origins which is said to represent every process of creation and renewal. The Enneagram is taught as a technology or system of human development, self-discovery, spiritual growth and self-actualization.

The Enneagram, today, is most often presented as a system of personality types. Each personality type is characterized by specific patterns of thought, speaking style, feelings, emotions, sensations, and belief systems which are universal to the type.

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Dear Kathy Hurley and Theodorre Donson,

I have just finished reviewing your article "Refuting Rev. Mitch Pacwa's erroneous negative views of the Enneagram."

I had already spent years researching Carl Jung and his influence in the Church, so this was a natural sequel. For your convenience I have enclosed your completely article for context. I do not address every point. My responses are in red. But I should also tell you that I have run my responses by a number of discernment ministry Biblical Scholars who also agree with my conclusions. I am sure that you are also aware that the Briggs-Meyers Carl Jung based Personality Profiler is also used in conjunction with the Enneagram. I do not address that in this document. My research on Carl Jung regarding the Church is published in other papers and is also available on various Biblical Discernment websites.

I should also point out the Roman Catholicism does not represent Orthodox Christianity for all Christians who support Sola Scriptura as the only and final authority in faith and morals for which the Reformation took place. An though Mitch Pacwa may be accurate in some points regarding the pagan origins of personality profiling. He is in grave error on a number of other points which I will demonstrate. But my main focus is to demonstrate that the Enneagram itself is laced with teachings that are contrary to Scripture. That is the test, not what the Roman Catholic Church ultimately says.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review below. I hope and pray that you take it to heart!

Kindest regards,

James Sundquist

President

Rock Salt Publishing

Religious Accusations Against the Enneagram Proven False
© 2001, Enneagram Resources, Inc. All rights reserved.
By Kathy Hurley and Theodorre Donson

The Enneagram is a system of nine personality types that has been growing in popularity since the early 1970s. Each of the types is associated with one of nine core "passions." Sometimes called ego-fixations or compulsions, these nine negative emotional states are anger, pride, deceit, envy, greed, fear, gluttony, lust, and laziness. This list largely depends on the tradition of "capital sins" in Christianity, although the Enneagram interprets them psychologically, not moralistically.

The Enneagram describes the nine personality types as patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. By revealing these patterns clearly, the Enneagram is used to guide people in overcoming weaknesses and capitalizing on strengths,

This is not Christian because the Bible tells us to God's strength is perfected on our WEAKNESS:

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Corinthians 12:9

to understand and develop compassion in relationships of all kinds, and to understand oneself in one’s own personal growth and relationship to God.

Catholic theologian Mitchell Pacwa, S. J. wrote extensively during the early 1990s on his interpretation of the Enneagram and how, like Jungian psychology, he believes it is misleading Christians in their search for spiritual direction. His two main statements are an article on the Internet, "Tell Me Who I Am, O Enneagram," (copyright 1994, Christian Research Institute) and his book Catholics and the New Age (Servant Publications, 1992). He continues to present his ideas on Catholic conservative radio and TV shows.

In mid-2000, the U.S. Catholic bishops’ committee on doctrine issued a document on the Enneagram based on Pacwa’s ideas. It cautions bishops that "the Enneagram has its origins in a non-Christian world view and remains connected to a complex of philosophical and religious ideas that do not accord with Christian beliefs."

Our Response to Pacwa’s Criticism of the Enneagram
This article is our response to these unfortunate interpretations of the Enneagram. We call these documents "unfortunate" because our own research clearly indicates that the Enneagram has solid roots in the Christian writings of the "desert elders."

These desert elders to whom you are referring were Gnostics, the first major heresy in the Church, but their beliefs do not accurately portray or reflect Orthodox Christianity. In fact, it was the Gnostics who attempted to integrate Christianity with Greek Philosophy. Paul was opposing this and condemning it in the First Century in his own writings long before the advent of the Desert Fathers of which you speak, who were simply continuing the tradition of the same heresies. There is a Hebrew word for mixing other religions with the true Faith, the word is Makshufot, which means mixture. Not only did the Apostle Paul not mix Christianity with Greek Philosophy he spent his entire campaign opposing this mythology and doctrines of demons that had no power to restrain sin. To suggest otherwise is revisionist history. It is ironic that Father Pacwa would be refuting your personality profile as pagan, when in fact it his own Catholic Church that spawned mysticism in his own Church Fathers.

These men and women, sometimes called the Fathers and Mothers of the Church, lived and wrote in the first five centuries of Christianity. As the first interpreters of the Gospels, they inquired into the inner development of human nature as it progresses toward the experience of God.

Thus, we believe that Pacwa, with the U. S. bishops following him, is placing himself in the strange-but-true situation of encouraging Christians to be suspicious of authentic Christian teaching about the inner life because it appears in a form with which he is unfamiliar and therefore cannot immediately recognize as Christian.

The confusion these documents creates is compounded by the fact that none of them demonstrates an accurate understanding of the Enneagram. Because Pacwa’s article available on the Internet both summarizes his book and is the source document for the bishop's statement, we will deal with it directly in this response.

False Accusation of Numerology
Pacwa’s document is marred by several erroneous assumptions. For example, it claims that the Enneagram depends on numerology and therefore calls it "divination." However, the Enneagram uses numbers, not numerology. The dictionary defines numerology as "the study of the occult meanings of numbers and their supposed influence on human life." Numerology assigns numbers to the letters of the alphabet and offers guidance to people based on the number equivalence of the letters in their names and their date of birth.

Pacwa also claims that the numerology of the Enneagram is based on the search for the "mystical meanings" of recurring decimal numbers. This statement is misleading in two ways. First, possible mystical meanings of numbers is not the same as numerology. I thought you just said that numerology by definition does assign mystical meanings to numbers?

Second, the Enneagram of personality as taught today relies on no such numerical mysticism. It simply uses the numbers one through nine. This is not numerology, just as arithmetic is not numerology. But arithmetic is not numerology because it does not assign numeric values to the soul or personality traits of the soul. But the bottom line that in the end the Enneagram is numerology because it still uses numbers to describe or make determinations about things pertaining to the soul. The Enneagram is no more compatible with Christianity than Astrology. But jus like the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ attempts to integrate astrology with Christianity, the Enneagram does the same thing, and both have their numerology Ouija Board-like charts. And just like the Mandela, the Enneagram has its wheel-like nine-pointed star.

False Presentation of "Essence" and "Personality"
Pacwa denigrates another teaching basic to the Enneagram, essence and personality, by calling it "pantheistic." The Enneagram claims to describe personality, which perceives reality in an overly subjective manner, and is opposed to essence or a person’s true nature. If it is so subjective, then of what possible mathematical value, let alone moral value can it have? There is not nine types of personality, there are as many unique personalities as there are snowflakes, or as many people who were ever born on the earth. Just as star differs from star in glory, every one unique, so too is every personality.

In criticizing this idea, Pacwa is apparently oblivious to the Christian origin of the word "essence" in this context. It was first used in the 1330s by Gregory Palamas, a canonized saint in the Orthodox tradition. This can't be Christian either, it is extrabiblical. Yes both Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholics canonize saints. But the Apostle Peter says that ALL Christians are saints. Biblically there is no such thing or justification for canonization. Saints are saved sinners who are being sanctified while they live and gloried when they are resurrected. But no man can elevate that status of a Christian once they are dead. God alone, can do that! And just like Roman Catholicism which is always adding to Scripture with its binding traditions, what possible discovery about the meaning of the word “essence” could add anything to the Revelation already delivered to the saints, once and for all! What did all of the saints, including the Apostles, lack for 1330 years since the advent of Christianity, lack that new revelation to Gregory Palamas gave us, when both Paul and Peter declare in their own words we were already given everything we need for our sufficiency in Christ? He explained the nature of God as "essence" and "energies," or the means by which God communicates with humanity. God does not communicate to man with “energies” but by his living Word, God breathed and verbally inspired. Palamas' explanation of God is pagan and pantheistic, therefore in grave error. Since humanity is created in God’s image, this teaching evolved to say every human being also has an "essence" or soul and "energies" or personality. These views do not represent Orthodox Christianity. Bible Chapter and Verse please!

Alleged Occult Basis of the Enneagram
Pacwa says the Enneagram has origins in the occult, which most people associate with magic and human use of spiritual powers not lawful to them. However, the ideas that underlay the Enneagram have esoteric origins, not occult ones. BINGO...”esoteric origins” that's gnosticism, mysticism and Eastern mysticism.

For most people, the word "esoteric" is equivalent to "occult." In fact, religious traditions use this word in its most basic definition, which is "inner" or "interior." Esoteric principles teach the inner development of humanity as it yearns for the divine. Spiritual growth, contemplative prayer and the writings of mystics like Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross are all "esoteric." Yes and they are all unbiblical too, so they can't be Christian!

Here is what John of the Cross says about God:

“*'My beloved [God] is the high mountains, and the lovely valley forests, unexplored islands, rushing rivers'
John of the Cross

No God is not the high mountains, he is the creator of the high mountains. Anyone worshiping the mountains, thinking they are God is pantheist, exactly what you say the Enneagram is not.

“I saw that God is in all things”

.Julian of Norwich'

No, God is separate from his Creation. If Julian of Norwich's statement were true, when as the Apostle Peter records that God's entire creation will melt with fervent heat and be destroyed, God would be destroying himself...an impossibility!

Julian of Norwich also taught that God and Jesus Christ are our mother, a concept found nowhere in Scripture. Source: Julian of Norwich's "Christ as Mother" and Medieval Constructions of Gender, Thomas L. Long Presented at the Madison Conference on English Studies. James Madison University. March 18, 1995 http://users.visi.net/%7Elongt/julian.htm

Alleged Sufi Basis for the Enneagram
Pacwa claims the Enneagram comes from the Sufis (who teach contemplative spirituality in the Islamic world). Many Enneagram teachers (including ourselves) used to present this erroneous idea. But how could the underlying ideas of the Enneagram be Sufi when the Sufis themselves disavow this claim? To be sure, there are Sufi books on the Enneagram (for example, Laleh Bakhtiar’s three volume work, God’s Will Be Done (KAZI Publications, 1993 and 1994)), but the way they both describe and use the Enneagram barely resembles the presentation of the Enneagram Pacwa refers to. Whether or nor Sufis originated the Enneagram, Sufism is completely antithetical to Orthodox Christianity.

Pacwa states the nine types of the Enneagram fall into three groups of three, associated with the head, the heart, and the gut (often called "the three centers"). Then he claims these three categories of intellectual, emotional and instinctual are borrowed from Sufism.

Yet Plato also taught such a tri-partite analysis of human nature (for example, see his Timaeus). Well Plato was wrong too!! The Bible, and therefore Christianity teaches that man is tri-partite, but the three parts are the Body, Soul, and Spirit. So did the Christian desert elders when they called Christians to three renunciations — in the physical realm (simplicity), emotional realm (virtue rather than the passions), and intellectual realm (relying on divine and not human knowledge to lead a person to God). These Christian desert fathers were heretics for the same reason that Plato was wrong.

Common sense leads to the same conclusion. Each day, when faced with decisions, people ask themselves, "What do I think about it?", "How do I feel about it?", and "What will I do about it?" This may very well be true, but therein lies the problem! What we do must be determined by the authority of Scripture and keeping his commandments. These are universal categories. They don’t belong to any one religion or philosophy. Once again, therein lies the problem and why this can't be consistent with Christianity. Jesus Christ said that I am the way the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me. Does this sound like Jesus was making room for other philosophies and religions? Even the Apostle Paul himself stated that the world's philosophies had no power to restrain sin!! Further, although they are given different names and appear in many different forms, they are almost universally used by the world’s religions and philosophies.

Because he wrongly believes the idea of the three centers is Sufi, it doesn't matter if Pacwa was wrong about its source, if it still remains that the Enneagram supports this idea. Pacwa takes exception to the idea that imbalance among the three centers is one of humanity’s basic problems and therefore that balancing the centers is important spiritual work for everyone to do. Yet this was also Plato’s idea and the Christian desert elders built upon it, these heretical early Christian desert elders should be building their house on the rock Christ, not Plato. Plato's views were antithetical to true Christianity...and who better to know this than the Apostle Paul himself who opposed these Greek Philosophers face to face and tried to evangelized them away from Greek Philosophy, even to the point of tearing his robes. Paul did not borrow from any other philosophy, let alone Greek, but rather said I preach nothing but Christ crucified! saying that when head, heart and body are balanced, people can more clearly hear God and more authentically fulfill God’s will. It also makes common sense that when we learn to think when thinking is appropriate, feel when feeling is appropriate, and act when action is appropriate, we live more whole, wholesome and holy lives. It is impossible to be holy without Christ as our Savior. As to balance qualities or traits in the old man, once again, Paul did not balance the old man, he crucified it and put on the new man of a New Creation in Christ Jesus. Balancing as you describe it is a yin-yang Eastern Religion idea, but it has no place in Christianity.

The Ideas of G. I. Gurdjieff
Pacwa claims that the Enneagram is unreliable because it comes in part from the teaching of George I. Gurdjieff. However, it’s Pacwa’s tactic here itself that is unreliable: guilt by association. One does not authentically judge an idea as good or bad by its association with people, but on the merits of the idea itself. (Pacwa uses the same false argument regarding Oscar Ichazo’s association with the Enneagram; we will deal with Ichazo in a later section of this article.)

By giving only the kind of information about Gurdjieff that causes alarm but not balanced enough to allow readers to decide for themselves what kind of man Gurdjieff was, Pacwa relies on the dishonorable tactic of ad hominem argument, better known today as character assassination.
Well I agree we should not use ad hominim attacks. But since this article is at least in great part devoted to defending whether or not the Enneagram is Christian, then it certainly would be appropriate to ask what both Oscasr Ichazo and Gurdjieff believed about Jesus Christ.
For example, Pacwa claims that Gurdjieff "rejected" the Orthodox faith in which he had been brought up to explore the occult. If Gurdjieff rejected his faith as taught to him in the Orthodox church, then why do Gurdjieff’s ideas dovetail with the Orthodox monastic tradition on almost every major point? The answer to that question is easy. The monastic tradition to a great extent was mysticism. And by Orthodox, I assume you mean Roman Catholic. But Roman Catholicism has a host of traditions that are not Biblical, and therefore clearly not Orthodox Christianity. For more proof go to lighthousetrails.com

Whether you read the writings of contemporary monks and hermits from Mt. Athos (for example, Orthodox Psychotherapy: The Science of the Fathers (Birth of the Theotokos Monastery, 1994) by Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Hierotheos),

Psychotherapy is Christian? Read this review:

Psychology vs. Scripture

Psychology counsels no fear of the Lord at anytime in any of its therapies, let alone at the beginning. So there is no wisdom in it. The Bible teaches that there is body, soul, and spirit; psychology says there is only the body and the soul. The Bible teaches us that it is Holy Spirit that will lead us in all truth and that it is sharper than a two-edged sword, dividing even the soul from spirit. Psychology doesn't even believe in the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches us about our eternal destiny. Psychology offers no hope for eternity. The Bible teaches us to lay up for our selves treasures in heaven. Psychology offers no concept of heaven to lay up your treasures for. The Bible says seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things (our needs) will be added unto us. Psychology doesn't seek first the Kingdom of God, in fact it never seeks the Kingdom of God. The Bible teaches that our help comes from the Lord. Psychology tells us our help comes from one or more of unproven theories and tens of thousands of psychotherapists whose ideas were drawn from paganism, divination, astrology, humanism, and evolution. The Bible teaches that being lovers of selves is mankind's problem. Psychology teaches that being lovers of selves is the solution. Bible teaches that we can come freely to drink the waters of life. Psychology charges for it. The Bible offers the opportunity of becoming a new man in Christ. Psychology offers an improved or even damaged version of the old man. The Bible teaches that our strength is perfected in weakness and that in suffering, sin loses its power. Psychology teaches us how to balance our strengths and weaknesses with personality profiles derived from paganism and divination. The Bible esteems the contrite and broken spirit. Psychology esteems self-esteem. The Bible teaches us to rejoice in the suffering or being persecuted with Christ to produce character and overcome the world. Psychology has no interest in Christ's suffering, our suffering with Christ, or sees any redemptive value in his shed blood. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ believed in demon possession and delivered those possessed. Psychology teaches that there is no such thing as demon possession...so there is nothing to be delivered from. Psychology does not believe we are in a spiritual war, because it does not believe there is any such thing as Satan or his demons. The Bible tells us that we war against principalities in heavenly places. The Bible tells us how to be blessed in the Beatitudes. Psychology doesn't even comprehend blessing, so it can not offer anyone a blessing because it omits the person required to administer these blessings, that is Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us we can't produce the fruit of the spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control without abiding in the vine which is Jesus Christ himself. Psychology attempts to bear this fruit by abiding in the teaching of such founders as Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud who opposed Christianity!

*ENNEAGRAM PERSONALITY PROFILE:

SOURCE: Robert Innes, Personality Indicators and The Spiritual Life, Grove Books Ltd., Cambridge, 1996, p.3; The Ennegram is significantly occultic in nature and origin, coming from Sufi, numerology, and Africa New-Age sources. George Gurideff, Oscar Ichazo of Esalen Institute, and Claudio Naranjo are the prominent New Agers who have popularized it, and then introduced it, through Fr. Bob Oschs SJ, into the Christian Church.

If there is any doubt that Enneagram Personality Profile, or Meyers-Briggs Temperament Sorter (Carl Jung) is unbiblical and pagan-based, I invite you to read the following documents:

http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/st_simons/arm03.htm
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modern western interpreters of the tradition like the Englishman Robin Amis (A Different Christianity, Praxis Institute, 1995) or primary sources like Gregory of Nyssa and Evagrius Ponticus, you see that the majority of Gurdjieff’s ideas, images, principles and practices come from the Orthodox monastic tradition. This includes the helplessness of humanity to experience spiritual growth without grace, which Gurdjieff called "higher influence"! Gurdjieff’s main contribution to this tradition was to modernize its language.

Pacwa also says that Gurdjieff eventually settled in Paris, where he taught "esoteric Christianity." However, that phrase doesn’t pique any interest and he moves on to report Gurdjieff’s other sophisticated beliefs out of context. Esoteric Christianity is the Christian teaching about the inner development of humanity toward the divine, and it definitely was Gurdjieff’s topic.

Gurdjieff had his shortcomings as all people do, and Gurdjieff did study all the world’s religions and philosophies as extensively as he could to find principles and practices that promote humanity’s inner development.

If he did not find these principles in Christ alone, then he was on a wild goose chase, and would hardly meet the Apostle Paul's definition or belief of what a Christian is.

However, by translating a basically Christian Orthodox theology into terms free from religious pietism, Gurdjieff can be seen as an innovative evangelist, not the purveyor of dangerous non-Christian beliefs as Pacwa states. If Gurdjieff's ideas are what you state, then he was not a Christian.

A Strange Misunderstanding of Christian Faith
Possibly the most telling statement Pacwa makes is on the nature of Christian faith itself. He says that Gurdjieff taught faith arose "from understanding" which is "the essence obtained from information intentionally learned and from all kinds of experiences personally experienced." Only understanding can lead one to God and only experience and information allow one to acquire a soul. This approach to faith places Gurdjieff squarely in the Gnostic camp outside Christianity. For Christians, faith is a gift from God; it is available to the brilliant or retarded, the aged or the child, independent of whether a human understands or not. Instead of human understanding leading to God, it is God who comes to humans, offering to dwell within our hearts through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In this paragraph, Pacwa demonstrates a misunderstanding of many things. Most important, he does not comprehend what Gurdjieff means by "understanding." Stated in its simplest way, understanding in this context is knowledge that is personally experienced; this is the teaching of the desert elders, who also definitely said understanding is the only road to Christian faith. Contemporary Christianity phrases it differently by delineating a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. Knowing about God is theology; knowing God is faith, and knowing God is an experience a person has.

Pacwa seems to be caught in an intellectualized idea of faith — perhaps faith as a set of beliefs, or as assent to certain truths — when he says it is "independent of whether a human understands or not." For Pacwa, understanding is intellectual understanding.

Gurdjieff, on the other hand, is teaching the tradition from the desert elders: faith happens when you personally experience the God you are taught about. Indeed, this is also the very meaning of the formula used by Pacwa himself when he says God offers "to dwell within our hearts through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit." What does "through Jesus Christ" and "by the power of the Holy Spirit" mean except that Christians experience God personally in their hearts?

Thus, the real meaning of Pacwa’s statement is that Gurdjieff taught the core meaning of faith as described by the desert elders, but then he confuses the issue by misinterpreting the meaning of the word understanding.

He further diverges from an accurate portrayal of Gurdjieff’s teaching by claiming Gurdjieff taught ". . . only experience and information allow one to acquire a soul." Gurdjieff spoke of understanding as defined by the desert elders above, not information. Further, he didn’t say that we "acquire" a soul but rather that all people are created with a soul "in embryo" which they themselves had to develop. While Gurdjieff’s language may shock us with its originality of phrasing (Is that such a bad thing in itself, or does it make us think in a new way about a familiar truth?), his idea is not dissimilar to traditional Christianity’s goal of "growing in virtue" or "becoming more like Christ" in one’s spiritual life.

Oscar Ichazo’s Influence on the Enneagram
Pacwa deals with Oscar Ichazo in a similar fashion to the way he treats Gurdjieff. A South American seeker, Ichazo’s main contribution to the Enneagram of personality was to accurately lay the nine passions (listed in Christian tradition by the desert father Evagrius Ponticus) around the Enneagram symbol, a nine-pointed star in a circle probably first drawn by Pythagoras. Thus, he created a map for understanding how human beings lose their way to God and find it again.

Ichazo’s particular genius lay in his insight that, of the nine passions described in classical literature (listed above), one is laid as the foundation of the personality. All of them are temptations for everyone, but one creates a veil of illusion that distorts a person’s perception of reality and thus unconsciously misguides his or her thinking, feeling and behaving. Consequently, it misguides a person’s quest for healthy relationships with self, others, the world and God.

However, modern Enneagram books and seminars have little in common with Ichazo’s original work beyond this basic point. Ichazo teaches a complicated set of principles and practices reserved only to the members of his "Arica School"; therefore, these teachings do not affect the modern Enneagram.

Further, if you read Ichazo’s descriptions of the nine personality types

Personality typing in itself has no basis in Scripture. IT is totally pagan in origin:

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themselves and compare them to contemporary Enneagram books, you see very little agreement. That’s because for the past 30 years, the Enneagram has been exposed to hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of people who have refined and reshaped the description of the types from their own experience. The modern Enneagram of personality owes its inception to Ichazo but has moved beyond him.

Ichazo holds many ideas that would be considered odd or strange by the average person and teaches beliefs contrary to his Christian upbringing. However, none of these ideas or beliefs have anything to do with the Enneagram as it is presented today by most teachers of the system.

Pacwa’s Misunderstanding of Theological Problems and the Enneagram Pacwa wrongly accuses the Enneagram of presenting errors according to Christian theology. We wish to list these accusations and deal with each as concisely as possible. It should be noted that many of Pacwa’s accusations are "straw man" arguments; the tactic is to misrepresent an idea by weakening it, then to destroy the weakened argument. Jesuit education (which both Mitchell Pacwa and Theodorre Donson received) teaches clearly that guilt by association, straw man and ad hominem arguments are false, misleading and to be avoided.

Jesuit training is not a credential anyway. Jesuits are responsible for killing millions of true Christian martyrs who were running for their lives!

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      Pacwa insists the Enneagram has occult origins. Because Gurdjieff and Ichazo have done some things Pacwa disapproves of, he makes the leap that these practices affect their teaching. This assertion has no basis in fact. Further, the Enneagram as taught today was never taught by Gurdjieff; Ichazo created the basic idea but modern teachers are now so far from his teaching he himself complains about it. There is no occultism in the Enneagram teaching of prominent leaders in the field.
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      Pacwa says "some Enneagram experts claim that original sin begins when small children choose their Enneagram type." Then he launches into