THE FOUR TEMPERMENTS

The four-temperament theory is a proto-psychological theory that suggests that there are four fundamental personality types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic. According to Galen (AD 129–200) an ancient Greek physician, surgeon, and philosopher (and Hippocrates (460-370 BC) before him.

The personality types or categories are basically as follows: sanguine (being optimistic and social), choleric (being short-tempered and irritable), melancholic (being analytical and quiet), and phlegmatic (being relaxed and peaceful). This Greek philosophy really took hold on Christian thought and psychology a few years back. Many bible studies, books and meetings were called to identify our personality type. It was much like a few years before this to have Bible studies, books and meetings to identify ‘our spiritual gifts.’ Then it became important in some circles to connect personality types with gift types. Then in other circles (pun intended) was the labyrinth prayer movement as an ancient symbol of wholeness… I think I am tired.

As I recently thought about some of this history and theory, I came upon 1 Corinthians 3:11-12 in my meditations: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.”

So, the personality types are really only two: the wood, hay and stubble group and the gold, silver and jewels group. And even these materials are to be used on the ‘foundation that has already been laid’… Jesus Christ.
We build on what we are, what we know and what we choose.

“Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Jesus