Dear Editor,
In her article ‘INTJ? Or are you just a sinner?’ in the September issue of en, Adeline Wenham raises concerns about the whole notion of ‘personality’ as reflected in the Myers-Briggs personality types. She says that the personality types are ‘alluringly positive, and here lies the danger’. But for me (INFJ) it was a real blessing: a tool to greater productivity and effectiveness. Mistaking modesty for humility, and assuming ‘a strength is not a strength’ unless it’s exceptional, I’d been very reluctant to believe I had any strengths at all. Completing the Myers-Briggs assessment at work many years ago was liberating. It helped me to recognise my strengths and, as the manager of a large department, to use them creatively for the benefit of those who reported to me. And knowing my weaknesses helped me to detect areas and issues I’d be inclined to avoid and to do something about them. This was definitely beneficial to the people reporting to me.
Adeline says that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MTBI) doesn’t help us reflect on sin. But I think she’s wrong. Knowing your weaknesses is a great help in identifying the temptations you’re most susceptible to, the excuses you’re most likely to make for yourself and the sins you need to mortify.
Calvin famously said: ‘Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.’
In as much as the MBTI provides true knowledge of ourselves, it can be helpful to us both socially and spiritually, and shouldn’t be too readily dismissed.
Yours sincerely,
David Gallie, (INFJ) By email
Dear Editor,
Thank you for Adeline Wenham’s article on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
As sinners we are determined to be the captain of our own fate and in doing so adopt a self-protective relational style to navigate the hostile world. Thus, our ‘type’ may be more a way of life that seeks to find life without regard to God and for which we need to repent?
I have similar concerns about the Enneagram which is so prevalent among Evangelicals these days.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Goodwin, By email
