Why is The Book of Enoch not devinely inspired?

[EPR_97]

OK, Now I have a question about this “Book of Enoch”. Would a catholic be falling into sin by reading this book, simply as a book and not as part of the ‘canon of scripture’, such as reading them for their historical value, or simple (checked) curiosity and (although its kind of off topic) would it also be sinful to read the Gnostic ‘gospels’, again not as part of the canon of scripture?
Thank you

 

[patrick457]

OK, Now I have a question about this “Book of Enoch”. Would a catholic be falling into sin by reading this book, simply as a book and not as part of the ‘canon of scripture’, such as reading them for their historical value, or simple (checked) curiosity and (although its kind of off topic) would it also be sinful to read the Gnostic ‘gospels’, again not as part of the canon of scripture?
Thank you

Short answer: no.

 

[TheSeeker2014]

Catholics need only concern themselves with the Catholic canon.
The Orthodox for example, have more OT books, the Protestants and Jews have less OT books. That the Copts have a different canon may be no surprise either.

The Jews as everyone knows has the Torah… but other books they do frequently read such as the Apocrypha and yes even the book of Enoch… these other docs they read are from oral tradition. but they are not LAW which is that the TORAH is.

Actually in the beginning that book inspired me on how the fallen angels have fallen, but I remembered what JESUS said that angels do not marry, so I got confused!

Angels do not marry, you are correct.
Fallen angels could… why not? They Rebelled by leaving their post in the first place.

From everything I read about the book of Enoch is that yes it is oral tradition that was passed down from Enoch through his kin and through the Jews.
I have often heard it was not put in the Cannon because of one all the references to the fallen, and two the talk about angels mixing with humans… THOUGH the JEWS and many non jews believe this scripture:Genesis 6:1-4
mt.net/~watcher/enoch5.html
is in reference to the Book of Enoch.

*PS of course it was not written by Enoch… it was recorded later from oral tradition just like Moses’ writtings such as Gensis for example which many people believe it was passed from Enoch orally too.

 

[EPR_97]

Ok, so another question. If I was to pick up this “Book of Enoch”, should I treat it as a work of fiction? From what I have read about the gnostic ‘gospels’ is that they are indeed fabrications, and should thus be treated as fiction.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Ok, so another question. If I was to pick up this “Book of Enoch”, should I treat it as a work of fiction? From what I have read about the gnostic ‘gospels’ is that they are indeed fabrications, and should thus be treated as fiction.

Treat it as a venerable fount of truth - doctrine to be verified by Apostolic teaching and practice through the office of your bishops and the Church.

 

[MACADAMIANUTS]

Treat it as a venerable fount of truth - doctrine to be verified by Apostolic teaching and practice through the office of your bishops and the Church.

I agree but see an issue. Enoch 1 (The Ethiopic Version), I would agree this applies too.
But…Can you read Ge’ez? I cannot. I am only able to read translated copies of Enoch. I can’t speak for exactly how well the available translations are. Certain ideas maybe misinterpreted. I would keep that in mind.

Or better yet learn Ge’ez.

 

[czarlazar]

Then how is it, and why is it OK that Ethiopian Catholics use it? Why on earth would the Vatican allow them to put it then the Bible they use?

Does make one wonder, doesn’t it? Perhaps its the cost of adding more numbers to the Latin Throne? Why would it be okay for one “eastern” Catholic but not okay for the “western” Catholic? More questions than answers on this one.