Why did the church get rid of the book of Enoch?

Asked by: Maryjane Dicki  |  Last update: March 13, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (54 votes)

The Church didn't exactly "remove" the Book of Enoch but rather didn't include it in the Bible's canon because early Jewish and Christian leaders deemed it uninspired, not in harmony with emerging doctrines (especially regarding angels/sex), potentially inconsistent, and too esoteric/apocalyptic, though it was influential early on and remains in the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible. Key issues were authorship questions, mystical content (fallen angels, giants), and incompatibility with later accepted theology, despite being cited in the New Testament book of Jude.

Why are Christians not supposed to read the Book of Enoch?

Christians don't read the Book of Enoch as Scripture because it was never accepted into the biblical canon by mainstream Judaism or Christianity due to theological issues, questionable authorship, and conflicts with established doctrines, despite its influence on some early believers. Key reasons include its fanciful stories, unique cosmology about angels (Watchers) and fallen beings, and teachings that contradict later Christian theology, such as Enoch sitting as a judge. While the New Testament book of Jude quotes it, this doesn't grant it canonical status, and most Christian traditions exclude it, though the Ethiopian Orthodox Church retains it.
 

Did the Catholic Church remove the Book of Enoch?

The short answer is that the Book of Enoch was never considered as part of the Gospels. It was for a time was part of Jewish texts ( old testaments) but broadly excluded because the style brings doubts as to its authenticity. The stories while entertaining do not connect with the rest of the canonical Bible.

Why was Enoch taken away?

Enoch “was taken away so that he did not see death” (Hebrews 11:5), meaning that he was taken from a violent society (Genesis 6:13) where he would likely have been killed (like Abel) by others who were jealous and angry at him for his righteousness and blessings.

What did Jesus say about the Book of Enoch?

While Jesus never directly quotes the Book of Enoch (1 Enoch) in the canonical Gospels as Scripture, many scholars believe He was familiar with its themes and language, as evidenced by striking parallels in His teachings, like warnings about judgment, the "children of light," and the resurrection state of angels, suggesting Enoch was a known text in Jewish circles at the time, even if not universally accepted as canon.
 

Why the Book of Enoch Was Removed—and How Jesus Used It

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What Christians accept the Book of Enoch?

1 Enoch is not considered to be canonical scripture by most Jewish or Christian church bodies, although it is part of the biblical canon used by the Ethiopian Jewish community Beta Israel, as well as the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

What word is written 365 times in the Bible?

There isn't a single word mentioned exactly 365 times, but the popular spiritual claim is that the phrase "Fear not" (or "do not be afraid") appears about 365 times, once for each day of the year, as a divine encouragement, though actual counts vary by Bible version and translation, with some finding closer to 100 or so, while others find many more instances when including synonyms and different forms like "do not fear" or "be not afraid". 

Why do people hate the Book of Enoch?

The reason being that it contains false doctrine that contradicts scripture. Also, the “Book of Enoch” is never mentioned in scripture.

Why is the Book of Enoch banned?

The Book of Enoch contains theological ideas that diverge from the emerging orthodoxy of both Jewish and Christian traditions. Early church councils, such as the Council of Laodicea in the fourth century, excluded it and other apocryphal texts because they were not part of the Hebrew canon.

Who decided to remove the Book of Enoch?

Look up Wes Huff on his explanation on why Enoch isn't scripture. It wasn't inspired by God, as it mainly talks about places, events and history. It's a scripture given by God. It was the council of Rome by the Roman Catholic Church who decided not to include it.

Does the Book of Enoch contradict the Bible?

The book of Enoch was found in the Dead Sea scrolls next to Genesis. The whole mistranslation has been resolved long ago. Original book of enoc does not contradict the bible..

Why is Acts 8-37 missing?

Acts 8:37 was omitted from many modern Bible translations because it isn't found in the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts, suggesting it was a later addition or "gloss" by scribes, even though it's present in the Textus Receptus (used for the KJV) and some later manuscripts, making it a point of debate between textual traditions. Translators of versions like the NIV and ESV include it in footnotes or omit it, citing evidence from Alexandrian Text family manuscripts (like Vaticanus and Sinaiticus) that lack the verse, while preserving the core message that belief is essential for baptism. 

Does the Bible say to pray to Mary or saints?

Not only does Scripture forbid praying to the dead, but there is no support for praying to the saints, nor to Mary. Jesus himself commands God's people to pray directly to the Father (Matt. 6:9-13).

Who forbid the Book of Enoch?

Enoch wasn't "banned". It was widely read in the Second Temple period but then fell out of use. It isn't considered Scripture by most today because it wasn't considered Scripture by most of the early Church.

Can the Book of Enoch be trusted?

It also claims that Enoch and Noah were contemporaries, disagreeing with the early Biblical timeline. While the book of Enoch contains intriguing and some accurate information that can warrant some trust, its esoteric style is not consistent with the way the Bible is written. If you read it, be cautious.

What does the Book of Enoch say about the Nephilim?

That idea was later expanded upon in the Book of Enoch, a work of apocalyptic literature believed to have been written after the third century BCE. According to Enoch, rebellious angels known as the Watchers came to earth and fathered the Nephilim, a race of destructive giants.

What is the warning of the Book of Enoch?

The Descent of the Watchers (Chapters 1-5) Enoch starts with a warning about the great judgment against the watchers, a group of angels who have sinned. These angels see the earth's women as beautiful, so they decide to leave their heavenly home to marry them.

What is the most banned book in the world Bible?

Often labeled as “controversial,” “unorthodox,” and “dangerous,” God's Word is the most widely banned Book in the world. In some countries, finding a Bible is almost impossible. In North Korea and Iran, owning one is illegal … and being caught with one could have you killed.

Who really wrote the Book of Enoch?

No single person wrote the Book of Enoch; it's a collection of ancient Jewish apocalyptic texts by multiple unknown authors compiled over centuries (roughly 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE), falsely attributed to the biblical figure Enoch (Noah's great-grandfather) as a form of pseudepigrapha. Scholars agree Enoch wasn't the author, though his name lends ancient authority, with the text containing prophecies, fallen angels, and origins of demons, with only the Ethiopian Orthodox Church accepting it as canonical scripture.
 

Why is the Book of Enoch blasphemous?

Some Jews considered it blasphemous because it discussed fallen angels—angels that rebelled against God (which is not found in the Bible, FYI). Yet, in Jude 1:14–15 a portion of the book of Enoch is quoted.

What does the Book of Enoch say about Jesus?

The Book of Enoch describes a pre-existent, divine figure called the "Son of Man," often identified with Jesus, who existed before creation, is seated on a throne of glory, will judge the wicked, and bring light and salvation to the righteous, fulfilling roles as both judge and savior, a concept echoed in the New Testament's descriptions of Christ's role as Messiah and Lord. This heavenly being is described with glowing countenance, possesses righteousness, and is a staff for the righteous and a light to the Gentiles, aligning with New Testament themes of Jesus's divinity and universal mission. 

Who destroyed the original Bible?

As early as 303 AD., Diocletian demanded, by royal edict, that every copy of the Bible be destroyed by fire. Many Christians and Bibles were savagely suppressed. The Christians kept a low profile for a certain period of time and Diocletian believed that he had effectively put an end to the Scriptures.

What is mentioned 222 times in the Bible?

There isn't one single English word appearing exactly 222 times in most common Bible translations, but in the original Hebrew Old Testament, the word nachalah (inheritance/heritage) appears 222 times, while some sources suggest the word "wisdom" appears around 220-222 times, pointing to numbers and significant words within scripture. 

How many times is the word "do not be afraid" in the Bible?

While popular tradition claims the Bible says "do not be afraid" 365 times (once for each day of the year), this isn't literally true for any single translation; counts vary widely by version, but it's generally over 100 times, with the KJV having around 100 instances of "fear not" or "be not afraid," while the total count of the concept of not fearing, including related phrases and mentions of "fear," is much higher, often exceeding 365. 

What does Jeremiah 33:3 say?

Jeremiah 33:3 is a promise from God to the prophet Jeremiah (and by extension, believers) saying, "Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known" (ESV, NIV), offering a powerful invitation to prayer, divine revelation, and hope, even in desperate times. It's a foundational verse about God's availability, encouraging people to seek Him for wisdom, guidance, and to reveal plans beyond human understanding.