The Right To Personal Opinion, No Excuse For Lazy Thinking
Our English word "opinion" comes to us from the Latin, dating back to the 14th
century. Most contemporary dictionary entries define the word as an "appraisal
formed in the mind about a particular matter." An additional explanation is
often given, that "opinion" is a "belief stronger than impression" but falling
short of objective, positive knowledge. (In the legal discourse, an "opinion"
may take on a more authoritative connotation, when a judge or court enters some
formal expression of judgment.)
In matters relative to Bible teaching and practice, Christians
are familiar with the distinction between "matters of faith" and "matters of
opinion." In our vernacular, we are talking about the difference between written
instruction from God (objective truth) and the personal preferences and
practices we have liberty to hold, but cannot enforce on others (subjective
opinion).
In Romans 14, 1 Cor. 8 and 1 Cor. 10:23-33, there is the basis for this
distinction. Whatever endless debates may occur among brethren about such
matters, there is a strong and clear biblical basis to exercise care in making
this distinction between objective truth and subjective human opinion. We ought
to allow one another the right of legitimate personal liberty, while we believe,
teach and practice the truth of the New Testament without compromise. If we give
up this distinction, we foster confusion, fuel immaturity and participate in
division.
However, this does not argue that anything called "opinion" is innocent,
advisable or in keeping with godly responsibility. I would like to stress, we
should guard against using claims of "personal opinion" as an excuse for
negligent thinking or attitude.
There are three kinds of "personal opinion" I want to classify. Only the first
is worthy of our involvement.
Educated Opinion is the result of your serious thought to
a given topic, event or outcome. You cannot objectively prove that your
opinion is divine truth or even better than other viewpoints. But you have
educated yourself through experience, and you have thought through to your
conclusion.
Provocative Opinion is an opinion expressed simply to
provoke. You have not objectively studied the matter; no homework,
research or thought, you just say something to annoy. What you say may not even
be your opinion. The point is not to enlighten, sincerely express a different
point of view or request acknowledgement of personal liberty. Your purpose is to
provoke. Apart from the thing said, the motive and attitude here is wrong.
"Parroted opinion" is nothing but repeating what you have
heard someone else say. It sounded good when you heard it, and may enjoy
some legitimacy - but you neglect personal thought; you just repeat what someone
else said. This happens in public Bible classes periodically. The teacher
presents the text of Scripture, offers admonition to help students understand
and apply the passage - then asks for any questions or comments. Sometimes this
request elicits nothing but a parroted opinion. Someone who hasn't really
studied simply repeats what they have heard. In private conversation, you may
hear someone express nothing but a parroted opinion. And in a journalistic
context like this, careless writers may parrot what others have said. In this
era of talk radio, cable TV and internet access to virtually every current human
idea, it is easy to fall into the habit of talking without thinking; repeating
cliché, opinion, and spreading (or forwarding) something you have really not
studied. While Christians can claim a right to individual opinion, we have no
right to spread something we have not really studied. We ought to be people who
study and think before any form of self-expression.
We are challenged to put our minds to good use, to think (Matt. 22:42; Rom. 2:3;
Rom. 12:3; 1 Pet. 1:13; 2 Tim. 1:7; Rom. 14:5). We are warned against the
careless use of the tongue (Jas. 3:1-12). And we are under obligation to be
individual students of God's Word (Eph. 5:10,11,17). Let us never use the right
to individual opinion to justify any lack of thought or control; nor take
opportunity thereby to speak without thought.
By Warren E. Berkley
The Final Page
From Expository Files 9.8; August 2002
