Mirror for the Soul: A Christian Guide to the Enneagram

As an avid reader of Enneagram books, I was excited to read the third book released that claims to view the Enneagram through a Christian lens. The other books are The Road back to You by Ian Morgan Chron and Suzanne Stabile, and Self to Lose, Self to Find: a Biblical Approach to the 9 Enneagram Types by Marilyn Vancil. Each of these books places its emphasis in different areas. IVP Press published both The Road back to You and, about a year later, Mirror for the Soul.First off, if you are new to the Enneagram, read almost any other Enneagram book first.Mrs. Fryling does not spend much time describing the types or in helping you to figure out your own type. That's okay, there are plenty of Enneagram books that do.She also does a drive-by through the triads, the wings and the growth/disintegration points. I suspect the brief treatment of each aspect is more confusing than helpful to Enneagram newbies. So look for another book to explain these things in more depth.Then, as if she hadn't already tried to cram too much (albeit abbreviated) information into too few pages, she added a chapter on spiritual direction for each type.Thank goodness she didn't try to discuss the entire ball of wax, which means she would've included the 27 instinctual subtypes, in this very short, 179-page book.Around 60% of the way through, she gets into the meat I'd been waiting for, which was her attempt to attach the ideas and possible uses of the Enneagram to some Biblical truths about human nature. Though what she said has merit in a psychological/spiritual sense, I personally found it rather repelling, sorry to say.When I read the Bible, I want God's words to radiate from it. I don't want to think about how Enneagram psychology can be shoehorned into it.Maybe you need to be a counselor, coach, or spiritual director to fully appreciate Mrs. Fryling's book.If you're one of the above, go ahead, read it.If you just want an introduction to the Enneagram, please red my all-time favorite, by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson, entitled, The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types.I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing else quite like this out there that I have found. For those looking for the perspective of a Christian and someone with a lot of experience as a spiritual director, this is a great find. I particularly like the interactive questions at the end of each chapter, and the sidebars with short scripture studies. They add a lot.

This is a very easy to understand, thorough discussion of the nine types & how they in some ways represent the gifts of the Spirit. May have given 5 stars except many translations of the Bible are quoted, which might be confusing or off putting to some who are not familiar with scripture.

Super helpful to my ministry of Spiritual Direction. Quick overview of the Enneagram types, with questions for each type at the end of the book.

Alice skillfully joins God’s design and the Enneagrams to bring clarity to relationships between two people in a marriage, your self and how you interact with others, and how all the strengths can become weaknesses if the focus looses sight of loving God.

I had read other authors but the way she set up the 9 different triads, was so helpful in gaining insight.Also it is not THEE source to decide for you, but a tool in which you are allowed to explore and 'work through' processing.thank you, this world of the Enneagram is interesting but also daunting if not explained well.Joan

This book answers a question I have had since being introduced to the enneagram. How do I use this tool in spiritual direction?

Good writer. Easy to understand. Very helpful. Excellent treatment of Enneagram theory with regard to a true Christian perspective.Page 66 needs editing: descriptions of jealousy and envy appear as reversed.

A beautifully written book with insights and practical suggestions.