The Book of Enoch and the Essene

 The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish text, not written by the biblical Enoch but by several authors over centuries, making its claim of Enoch’s authorship false. Scholars classify it as “pseudepigrapha,” meaning a work attributed to a figure who did not write it. This raises serious questions about its credibility, when claiming it comes from the pre-flood Enoch.

The Book of Enoch was never part of the Jewish or mainstream Christian canon, except in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition. While some traditions value its stories about angels and giants, many of its teachings and cosmology contradict the Bible’s clear message about creation, salvation, and God’s plan.

It has been suggested that the Essenes, a strict Jewish sect known for ascetic practices and mystical interests, preserved or valued Enoch’s writings. However, there is no strong evidence they authored it, and many claims about their beliefs are often overstated or not supported by historians. The important point to remember is that the Essenes separated themselves from mainstream Judaism and did not follow the Law of Moses or worship at the Second Temple in the same way Jesus did. There beliefs were outside the norm. 

Jesus and the apostles showed no acceptance of Essene teachings, and the New Testament warns Christians against following “Jewish myths,” which would include the Essene. Instead, Christians are encouraged to hold fast to the truth found in Scripture.

In summary, the Book of Enoch is not reliable as Scripture and often contradicts the Bible’s doctrine. Its stories may be intriguing, but its teachings should not form the foundation for Christian belief or be a source to help with the interpretation of scripture or "fill in the gaps" for what some perceive as missing from the Bible.