Did Jude err when he cited nonbiblical sources?
Jude 9 and Jude 14 are the passages that raise this question. Verse 9 refers to a controversy between the archangel Michael and the Devil in regard to the disposition of the body of Moses after he had died on Mount Pisgah: “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, The Lord rebuke you! ” This account is not found in the Old Testament but is thought to have been included in a Christian treatise (now lost) entitled “the Assumption of Moses” [cf. Buttrick, Interpreter s Dictionary, 3:450], at least according to Origen [On the Principles 3.2.1]. It would be a logical fallacy to argue, however, that an inspired biblical author like Jude was strictly limited to the contents of the canonical Old Testament for all valid information as to the past. Both Stephen [in ACT 7] and the Lord Jesus [in MAT 23] refer to historical episodes not recorded in the Old Testament. Apparently
