THE BOOK OF ENOCH
There are seasons in the Christian life when curiosity whispers in our ear; ancient books, mysterious writings, and shadowy traditions beckon us with the promise of “deep things.” The Book of Enoch is one of those lures—an old document, wrapped in strange tales of angels and visions, often marketed today as a hidden treasure. Yet, for all its age and intrigue, it has never belonged to the people of God, nor has it ever nourished the souls of the saints. Its pages may fascinate, but fascination is not the same as edification.
Christians, both young and seasoned, must remember that not every old book is a wise book; not every ancient voice is a faithful voice. Enoch’s writings—whatever fragments and translations exist—were never recognized by Israel, never accepted by Jesus, never preached by the apostles, and never embraced by the early church. The Lord, who promised to feed His sheep, did not hide our nourishment in obscure corners; He set it plainly in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16–17). When God wants His people to know something, He does not whisper it through disputed manuscripts; He thunders it through His Word.
Moreover, the Book of Enoch often becomes a distraction masquerading as depth. It stirs the imagination, but it does not strengthen the heart; it raises questions, but it does not anchor the soul. Christians who wander into it frequently find themselves chasing speculations instead of embracing the clarity of the gospel. And anytime a believer trades the solid bread of Scripture for the cotton candy of speculation, spiritual malnourishment is right around the corner (Colossians 2:8). The enemy loves a distracted Christian—one who is nibbling at the edges rather than feasting at the Table.
Some will say, “But Jude quotes Enoch!” And it is true—Jude quotes a line, just as Paul quoted pagan poets on Mars Hill; yet no one would argue that Paul endorsed paganism. A single quotation does not grant divine authority to a book any more than referencing a proverb makes the entire volume inspired. God’s Spirit guided Jude to use what was true in a sentence without endorsing what was false in the rest.
I am not telling anyone what to do; I’m simply offering a shepherd’s caution. The world is noisy enough; the soul is needy enough; and the Scriptures are rich enough. Why spend precious hours rummaging around in writings that neither sanctify nor satisfy? Why wander in the fog when God has given us the sunrise?
Keep your heart in the Book that keeps your heart—Genesis to Revelation, the wide river of God’s breathed-out truth. Everything else is, at best, a curiosity; at worst, a distraction. As for me, I’ll stay with the Word that saved me, steadies me, and points me home. And I will not be coaxed or nudged into studying something that has sidetracked many.
Be careful, Christian. Be wise. And keep your eyes on the Scriptures, where Christ shines, and where the Spirit still speaks.
BDD
