The great cop-out is when people disagree but cannot support their position, they will say, “that’s your opinion” and say nothing more.
“It’s your opinion,” is used by those who do not study the Bible closely, or who are married to their denomination or pastors and cannot respond to a question. They are not willing to admit certain inconsistencies in their teaching, can give no true Biblical support, or just want to argue about nothing.
Having no Scriptural foundation for what they teach, leads them to say, “That’s your opinion.” This is their back door, their escape route, their only way out.
An opinion, this from the Greek “abana,” meaning to think, to suspect. The primary sense is to set, to fix in the mind.
The JUDGEMENT which the mind forms of any proposition, statement, theory, or event, the truth or falsehood of which is supported by a degree of EVIDENCE that renders it probable, but does not produce absolute knowledge or certainty.
It is the judgment or sentiments which the mind forms of persons, or their qualities. We speak of a good opinion, a favorable opinion, a bad opinion, a private opinion, a public or general opinions.
For example, if someone has a close and personal friendship with another person, this should give them a peculiar right and claim to have and give a (good) opinion of that friend, if they are asked.
Then there are settled judgments or persuasions, such as religious and political opinions. Also, opinions are favorable judgments, or estimations.
Someone may give their opinion on the price of a home, and another person may give a totally different price, this being their view. The person closest to the price, is usually the one who has done their homework.
1. There are those who have an opinion about everything.
2. There are others who have no opinions about anything.
3. Some, especially in the religious and political community repeat the opinion of others, word for word, but they themselves do not fully understand the matter, or subject at hand. Therefore they have no personal opinion, just repeating the opinion of others.
Now I am speaking for myself.
Because of religious correctness demanded by OCC, we are asked to keep our words in line, as in respect and politeness to each other. With this I agree.
At times the people debating on this form can get HOT, and the words flow like lava destroying everything in its path. I also may be guilty of this. At times taking up the sword as Peter did, or at least a punch in the nose seems more reasonable than to continue with certain discussions.
What’s my point? Again I speak for myself. My thoughts on this subject concern the Scriptures and the drawing of conclusions from them.
In certain discussions on various subjects, it has been said over and over again, “That’s your opinion.” In an article I may say, “This is my opinion.” Of course its my opinion; I wrote the article and stated that it was my opinion, who’s else’s opinion would it be?
The people who write this give me the impression that no one else is entitled to have, or to give a correct opinion because it disagrees with theirs. Let me repeat part of the definition of the word opinion, to think, to set, to fix something in one’s mind. It is a judgment which the mind forms concerning any proposition, statement, theory, or event, the truth or falsehood of which is supported by a degree of EVIDENCE that renders it probable, but does not produce absolute knowledge or certainty.
Again, I am speaking for myself. I study Greek words closely, read older commentaries written by various Christians, gather evidence from the Scriptures, then include any other proofs that can be brought to bear on a particular subject. I then consider ALL the evidence, meditated on it, than write my article.
After all this, someone has the audacity to tell me, “That’s your opinion.” Again, yes it’s my opinion, I wrote it. At least it has been draw from a great deal of research, discussion, and meditation. I attempt to draw the evidence together to form my conclusions.
I wonder is these parties are attempting to say, because your views do not agree with mine, yours are of no consequence, therefore they need to be rejected.
Also I get the impression that they are not willing to even consider some one else’s point of view. You can tell from their response. If they read your article, they only brushed over it. The article appears to have been rejected before the debate even gets started.
What is evidence? It’s convincing arguments, and proofs. If upon examination of the text and context of certain passages, the study of key Greek and Hebrew words, the commentaries of others, and the consideration of all the facts, I feel that any student of the Bible can draw a correct OPINION, if they are open to the truth. So I ask, “What else can anyone do?”
So please, do not use the phrase, “That’s your opinion” as a WEAPON to make others believe that their conclusions are incorrect. Would it not be more profitable to ask, “How did you drawn this opinion, and where is your evidence?”
2 Timothy 2:15-16-17, “Study (be diligent) to shew (present) thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain (worthless talk) babbling: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their words will eat as does canker (cancer.)
One other thing: It is said to me that only the Bible should be used to come to an understanding of the things it contains. To this I agree,
Except where there may be some difficulty in the understanding of an ancient culture, religious ceremonies, procedures, future revelations, symbolism, types, anti-types, words, context, figurative language, dates, places, etc. If any of these are to be part of one’s final opinion on a Biblical subject, we need to refer to the work left to us by the experts, those who have in the past and present time used their gifts from God to discern these specific areas of study; experts who speak and understand the old languages, translators, historians in ancient history, ancient cultures, etc. Those gave their life in the study of various subjects concerning Bible history and facts. These cannot be ignored.
Are we not to use the tool of archeology or the ancient manuscripts found, such as the dead sea scrolls? To reject the men and their work, is to reject the Bible itself. These people are part of the body of Christ, even if they have gone into glory.
No one person can do the work done throughout the centuries by so many God fearing believers. They risked their lives, some even giving their lives to obtain further evidence to the authority and veracity of the Bible. The Holy Spirit has given to us specific tools such as lexicons, commentaries, and many other various helps provided to obtain a deeper knowledge of God’s Holy word.
The extra ordinary works supplied by others for our use, will get the job done. Good study habits, time, consistency of thought, prayer, meditation, and a heart and mind open to the truth. The truth is there for all to harvest, a harvest that will bring us to a fuller understanding and a deeper knowledge. These things are needed to draw a just and correct OPINION.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com