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Why Christians Do Not Consider the Book of Enoch Sacred Canon

May 24, 2025Literature1837
Why Christians Do Not Consider the Book of Enoch Sacred Canon It is

Why Christians Do Not Consider the Book of Enoch Sacred Canon

It is a misconception that Christians "absolutely hate" the Book of Enoch. In fact, the book is not considered part of Christian scripture, which is the core source of Christian religious doctrine and practice.

Understanding Christian Canon

Christian canon, which refers to the authoritative scripture, consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is derived from the Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament includes the Gospels, Letters, and the Apocalypse of John. The Book of Enoch, on the other hand, is neither part of the Christian Old nor New Testament. This is why Christians do not view it as a sacred text in the same way they view the Bible.

Common Misunderstandings and Misconceptions

There are numerous statements and claims online that suggest Christians "absolutely hate" the Book of Enoch. Such claims are often the result of a misunderstanding of the nature of Christian canon and the value placed on the books within.

Some responders, such as the one suggesting Christians might "hate it," seem to confuse the concept with personal dislike or even hatred. In reality, Christians simply do not consider the Book of Enoch part of their sacred canon out of the same respect for the purity of the texts that is held for the established canon. It is more a reflection of how certain texts are integrated into the doctrine and tradition of the faith rather than a matter of hatred.

Enoch in Christian Thought

While Christianity generally does not consider the Book of Enoch sacred, it is viewed more as a religious text that has some historical and cultural significance. However, its inclusion is not deemed necessary or appropriate for the core teachings and practices of the Christian faith. The text is often seen as part of a larger body of early Jewish and Christian literature, known collectively as apocryphal or pseudepigraphal works.

Many of these texts, like the Book of Enoch, are studied and discussed for historical reasons, and are often respected as they provide insight into the religious thought of the time. Nevertheless, they are not considered inspired or authoritative sources for Christian belief and practice.

Arguments Against Inclusion

A common argument against the inclusion of the Book of Enoch is its pseudepigraphal nature. Pseudepigrapha are texts that attach a false name to the author in order to lend authority to their ideas. In the case of the Book of Enoch, the authorship is attributed to Enoch, a figure in the Old Testament. This is seen by some as a way of trying to present ideas as divinely inspired when they are not. The inaccurate attribution of authorship, sometimes called counterfeiting, was recognized in the ancient world and is extremely detrimental to the credibility of any text attempting to present itself as divinely inspired.

The harmfulness of pseudepigraphical writings is often mitigated by the fact that their authenticity can be verified. The book of Enoch and other similar texts can be categorized as such, thereby clarifying their non-canonical nature. However, the skepticism surrounding these works does not translate to hatred; it is simply a matter of scholarly and theological discernment.

Conclusion

It is important to clarify that Christians do not "absolutely hate" the Book of Enoch. What they do is recognize it for what it is – a valuable but non-canonical text with historical and cultural significance. The Book of Enoch is not part of the Christian canon, and it is important for Christians to understand and respect the distinction. This understanding fosters better communication and mutual respect among different religious communities.