Tabernacle Talk - A Bible Study Podcast with Pastor Bryon Self · Bryon Self

Ask Anything Episode: What's Up With the Book of Enoch?

·16 min·1 clip

Pastor Brian reveals why the Book of Enoch features 400-foot giants and contradicts Jesus as the Messiah.

This Ask Anything episode of Tabernacle Talk addresses listener questions about the Book of Enoch, with host Pastor Bryon Self providing a theological analysis. Pastor Self clarifies the book's non-canonical status for most Christian traditions, exploring its origins and content. He establishes a framework for discussing scripture by referencing 2 Peter 1:20 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 on divine inspiration. The episode notes that the Book of Enoch is only included in the canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Pastor Self explains that the biblical account of Enoch is confined to just three verses in Genesis Chapter 5. He connects interest in Enoch to cryptic Old Testament passages, specifically Genesis 6:1-4 concerning the "sons of God" and the Nephilim. The host describes the Book of Enoch as a post-Old Testament collection of five books written during the intertestamental period. He characterizes the text as a form of "glorified fan fiction" that attempts to fill narrative gaps in scripture. A key theological conflict highlighted is that First Enoch presents Enoch himself as the "Son of Man," a title the New Testament reserves for Jesus. The content is described as sensationalist, featuring outlandish details like 400-foot-tall giants who consume all the earth's food and then turn to eating people. Pastor Self mentions he has a copy in his Lexham English Septuagint and does not consider it a forbidden text. He recommends two resources for further study: a 50-minute podcast by apologist Wesley Huff and an article from GotQuestions.org. A surprising insight is the analogy that scripture "acquiesces" to human understanding, illustrated by God answering Joshua's prayer for the sun to stand still in a way that accommodated contemporary cosmology. The host argues that while apocryphal works can show what ancient people thought, they do not reveal what God thinks. He cautions listeners against getting bogged down in "genealogies, myths, and fables" as warned in the New Testament. The ultimate encouragement is to let any reading point back to Jesus and the characteristics of God. The tone is educational and pastoral, blending scriptural exegesis with practical guidance for listeners. The style is conversational and instructive, directly addressing the audience's likely curiosities. This episode is ideal for Christians curious about biblical apocrypha or those encountering references to the Book of Enoch in popular culture. Listeners seeking a firm, traditional defense of the Protestant biblical canon will appreciate this analysis. Those looking for an in-depth, academic exploration of the Book of Enoch's historical context might find the episode too introductory.

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