Within Christian circles, the ancient Jewish holy literature known as the Book of Enoch has long been a source of mystery and contention. The majority of Christians reject it as non-canonical and, in certain cases, heretical, despite the fact that some people cherish it as a source of secret knowledge and spiritual insight. In this investigation, we explore the grounds for the Christian rejection of the Book of Enoch, illuminating the theological issues and historical background that have resulted in its absence from the recognized canon of Scripture.
What Is This Book About?
Enoch, who is mentioned in Genesis 5:21–24 of the Bible, is the author of the Book of Enoch, commonly referred to as “Enoch,” an ancient religious scripture. This book is an apocryphal work because it is not found in the canonical scriptures of Judaism or the majority of Christian denominations. However, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church regards it as canonical. The most well-known part of the Book of Enoch, which has numerous sections, is the “Book of the Watchers.” Enoch describes his encounters with angelic entities known as Watchers in this section, who impart information on creation, heavenly mysteries, and humanity’s future. It also talks about the misdeeds of the fallen angels and how they affected humanity.
The book is renowned for its original cosmology, which features depictions of the heavenly regions, an order of the angels, and end-of-the-world prophecies. Gnostic and esoteric beliefs, as well as Jewish and Christian mystical traditions, have all been significantly influenced by it. Due to doubts regarding its authorship, legitimacy, and doctrinal disputes, the Book of Enoch was left out of most Christian canons despite its historical and theological importance. Nevertheless, it is still studied today and has a special position in the development of religious thought as well as the study of ancient religious literature.
Why Reject It Then?
It was not written by Enoch
Numerous academics concur that the Books of Enoch were not written by the Old Testament character Enoch, but rather are a collection of texts by various authors. The earliest parts of the text are dated to 300 B.C. by historians. Researchers have also discovered that the newest pieces date to 100 A.D. The timeline clearly shows that it was composed between three and four thousand years after Enoch walked the world. The book’s authors’ desire to make it appear as though Enoch wrote is likewise doubtful. To garner attention and sway readers to accept their position on a certain social issue, the authors used Enoch’s name.
Lacks evidence of divine inspiration
The Book of Enoch is absent from the Bible for a number of reasons, including the fact that it lacks evidence of divine inspiration. Though it is well-liked, this does not imply that God created it. Even though some early churches supported the use of the book in churches, mostly because Jude referenced it, people eventually had second thoughts. Enoch is not a part of the Jewish canon, and the Christian Old Testament draws heavily from the Hebrew Bible. As a result, it lacks the same level of authority as other biblical texts.
Is not in alignment with the Bible
The book’s theological viewpoint departs from that of the canonical Bible in terms of its theological content. It includes ideas and teachings that go against the grain of traditional Christian doctrine, such as in-depth explanations of cosmology, angelology, and esoteric knowledge. According to Christian standards, some portions of the Book of Enoch contain concepts and storylines that are unusual and even heretical. These include descriptions of giants, celestial creatures, and end-of-the-world prophecies that are at odds with conventional Christian doctrine.
It is quite acceptable to read the Book of Enoch, of course. It is just like reading any other literature, such as a published book. Please read it carefully, though, and take into account the objections raised by the various faith groups. It was neither dependable nor inspired by the Holy Spirit. You must keep in mind that the Book of Enoch is challenging to read since it is rife with symbolism and mystery. Thus, it will take some time for you to comprehend the meaning of various texts.
Why Christians Reject It?
Scholars and those looking for spiritual guidance continue to be drawn to the Book of Enoch because it is such a mysterious and fascinating book. However, its lack of canonical authority, shady authorship, doctrinal divergences, dubious substance, historical context, limited early Christian adoption, and the theological caution it raises are at the foundation of its rejection by the majority of Christians. The Book of Enoch may be significant historically and culturally, but it has not been incorporated into the mainstream of Christian thought. Scholars and theologians continue to discuss and examine its validity.
