Additional information
by R. H. Charles (Author)
The Book of Enoch was known and valued by the earliest Christians and sheds light on many concepts found in the New Testament, such as angels and demons, future judgment, the Messiah and the Messianic Kingdom, the title 'Son of Man' and the resurrection.
This edition of R. H. Charles's classic translation includes a substantial new introduction by Paula Gooder, in which she writes:
'Despite the many exciting and revolutionary archaeological finds during the 20th century, 1 Enoch remains one of the most important texts of its kind. It is a broad anthology of apocalyptic traditions about the biblical character Enoch, some easier to read and comprehend than others. It arose out of its context. This was a context riven by the harsh experience of conflict, violence and fear for the future, as the wars between rival Greek generals gave way first to the oppression of the Seleucid Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), then the disillusionment of Hasmonean rule followed by Roman invasion and further oppression.
'It arose out of this context but spoke very clearly into and beyond it too, reminding its readers in many different generations that the world around them was not all there was, that judgement would come and the righteous would be rewarded. It also reflected a view of the world shared by the majority, if not all, of the New Testament writers. This was a world in which the things of heaven continually shaped the things of earth, in which angels revealed secrets and in which God cared and intervened for his people. 1 Enoch is thus worth reading in its own right, but it is also vitally important for the many ways in which it illuminates the world, language and theology of the New Testament.'
Author Biography
The translator, R.H. Charles (1855-1931), is universally recognized as one of the leading figures in Enoch scholarship. Paula Gooder is a freelance writer and lecturer in Biblical Studies. She is also Canon Theologian of Birmingham and Guildford Cathedrals, Lay Canon at Salisbury Cathedral, Visiting lecturer at King's College, London, Associate lecturer at St Mellitus College, London, and Theological Adviser to the Bible Society. Her previous books include Searching for Meaning (SPCK 2008) and Heaven (SPCK 2011).
