In this lesson, we continue our series on the Canon of Scripture by taking a deep dive into the Book of Enoch. While often discussed today as "hidden knowledge," we examine why this book was never included in the Hebrew Bible or the mainstream Christian canon.
What we cover in this video:
- The Real Enoch: We look at the biblical account of Enoch from Genesis 5 and Hebrews 11—the man who walked with God and "was not" because God took him.
- What is the Book of Enoch?: We discuss its origins, likely written between the Old and New Testaments (300–100 BC), and how it was preserved primarily by the Ethiopian church.
- Contradictions with Scripture: We point out several areas where the book contradicts the Bible, including its descriptions of a "flat earth," incorrect timelines for Enoch's life, and bizarre claims about the birth of Noah.
- The Connection to Jude: We address the famous question—if Jude 14-15 quotes Enoch, does that make the Book of Enoch inspired? We look at how inspired writers sometimes quote uninspired sources to make a point.
- Why It Isn't Inspired: We explore the internal evidence and the lack of historical acceptance that proves this book does not belong in the Bible.
While the Book of Enoch may contain historical interest or even remnants of ancient oral tradition, it fails the tests of inspiration and consistency with the rest of God's Word.
Join us as we learn how to distinguish between interesting ancient literature and the inspired Word of God.