Bible Questions
  • Home
  • Topics
    • Popular
    • Steps to Salvation
    • Seeking a Church?
    • A - E >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
    • F - J >
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • J
    • K - O >
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
    • P - T >
      • P
      • R
      • S
      • T
    • U - Z >
      • U
      • V
      • W
      • Z
  • Lessons
    • Baptism
    • Bible Basics
    • How to Study >
      • Interpreting the Bible
      • Effective Bible Study
    • Bible Surveys >
      • Beginner Bible Survey
      • Advanced BIble Survey >
        • Old Testament Survey
        • Major and Minor Prophets
        • New Testament Survey
      • Old Testament Characters
    • Book Surveys >
      • Ecclesiastes
      • Sermon on the Mount
      • Acts of the Apostles
      • Romans
      • 1 & 2 Thessalonians
      • 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
      • James
      • 1 & 2 Peter
      • 1, 2, 3 John
      • Jude
    • Christian Living >
      • Adding to Your Faith
      • Christian Evidences
      • Parables of Jesus
      • Personal Evangelism
      • Practical Christianity
      • Prayer
      • Self-Assessment
      • Supernatural Power
    • The Church >
      • Leadership
      • Work of the Church
  • Podcasts
  • Ask Question
  • About Us
  • Study Aids
  • Blog
  • Sermons
  • Baptism Debate 2011
  • Privacy Policy
<...Go back

Can you illustrate opinion?


Introduction. There is no small amount of confusion regarding the matter of opinion.  Actually, there are three main ways (concerning our study) in which the term opinion may be used.  An opinion may be a "concept, view, or consideration" (Roget's Thesaurus, pg. 291).  Opinion may be the result of what many believe (R.H.C.D., pg. 932).  Or, opinion may mean "a belief ...that rests on grounds insufficient to produce certainty" (Ibid).

Opinion - a concept, view or consideration.   In this usage, basically everything we believe is an opinion, right or wrong.   The earth is round is an opinion, concept or view.

Opinion - the belief of the majority.   Society holds many opinions.  Societal opinions are very important to the fashion profession and other areas of sales.  However, just because society believes something does not make what is believed right or wrong (cf. Ex. 23: 2).

Opinion - a belief ...that rests on grounds insufficient to produce certainty.  If ones particular belief is without substantiation, then it is simply their opinion.  People seem to recklessly use the word opinion.  "It is your opinion that the Bible is inspired", someone says.  Yes, it is my belief; but, no, it is not simply my belief (2 Tim. 3: 16-17).   "It is simply your opinion that sin is a violation of God's law".   No, it is not simply my belief (1 John 3:4).  However, the belief salvation is a result of faith only (dead faith), is an opinion (no grounds, cf. Jas. 2: 24).  The position that it does not matter what you believe, is simply an opinion (Jn 4: 24).

We need to carefully use the word opinion.  If there is no proof for the held belief, it is simply an opinion.  If there is proof, it is not simply an opinion.  Let us make sure our religious beliefs are not simply opinions (no grounds, scripture).

 Bible Questions is a work of the Holly Street church of Christ in Denver, CO. 
Copyright (c) 2021 Holly Street church of Christ. All material within the website may be freely distributed for non-commercial uses by including a reference to the website.