Should We Trust the Book of Enoch?

Question:
What is the Book of Enoch, and should we as Christians believe in it?

Answer:
The Book of Enoch is an ancient writing classified among the Apocrypha, believed to have been composed between roughly 200 BC and 400 AD. Some Christian groups regard it as a secret or hidden book because it contains mysterious revelations about God and the history of the world. However, it was never included in the canonical Bible of 66 books that most Christians accept today.

The reason the Book of Enoch—and other apocryphal writings—were excluded from the Bible is not simply because they were “secret” or too spiritual. Rather, these writings contain many teachings and stories that conflict with the core doctrines of Christianity and biblical truth.

Historical Context and Discovery

The Book of Enoch was rediscovered in the 18th century in Ethiopia and later translated into other languages. It is sometimes called 1 Enoch because there are other Enochic writings as well. In 1947, fragments of the book were also found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in caves near the Dead Sea, confirming its antiquity and influence among some ancient Jewish groups.

Who Was Enoch?

Enoch is a biblical figure mentioned in Genesis 5:18–24 (ESV):

“Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”

Unlike other humans, Enoch did not die but was taken directly by God, a unique event that later fueled speculation that he was given special heavenly knowledge.

Contents of the Book of Enoch

The book includes elaborate stories about angels—specifically 200 “watchers” or angels who fell from heaven because they lusted after human women and took them as wives (Genesis 6:1–4 alludes to such events). Their offspring were giants called the Nephilim, described as beings of enormous size and great violence.

Enoch’s book details how these angels taught humanity forbidden knowledge, such as the use of weapons, sorcery, astrology, and other forms of corruption. This narrative attempts to explain the wickedness of humanity before the flood.

However, many of these accounts stretch beyond what Scripture teaches and include mythological or legendary elements that cannot be substantiated by biblical revelation or reason.

Theological Considerations

The Bible does not teach that angels marry or reproduce with humans. Jesus himself clarified that in the resurrection, people “neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:29–30, ESV). Angels were created as spiritual beings without physical reproductive functions.

Furthermore, the New Testament affirms that after death comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27, ESV):

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”

This contradicts teachings found in some apocryphal books about purgatory or prayers for the dead.

Why Christians Should Be Cautious

While the Book of Enoch contains some historical and theological insights, it is filled with stories and ideas that contradict the core message of the Bible. It includes many myths and speculative traditions that can mislead believers.

Church tradition and biblical scholarship affirm that the canonical 66 books of the Bible are sufficient for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Some Christian traditions, such as the Roman Catholic Church, include additional apocryphal books in their Bible canon, increasing the total number of books to 73. However, these additional books also contain teachings that differ from Protestant interpretations, such as the doctrine of purgatory and prayers for the dead, which are not supported by Scripture.

Conclusion

The Book of Enoch is a fascinating ancient text with some connections to biblical themes but is not inspired Scripture and should not be regarded as authoritative or infallible. Christians should base their faith on the 66 canonical books of the Bible, which have been divinely inspired and preserved by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus warned against being led astray by teachings that do not align with Scripture (Matthew 22:29). Therefore, it is wise to be discerning and cautious about accepting writings outside the biblical canon, especially when they contain theological errors or myths.