When questions about the scriptures come up it is not uncommon for others, particularly those who are religious, to counter what we say with the statement that this is "your opinion". Peter states, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God..." (1 Peter 4.11). The word for "oracles" here is related to the word logos in the Greek. This refers to the the inspired word of God as revealed. We understand that the Bible teaches that the scriptures are inspired of God (2 Tim 3.16). Peter tells us about the origin of this inspiration when he refers to the prophets who spoke and wrote of old. "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Pet 1.20-21). The Holy Spirit delivered the words that God wished to have spoken or recorded to His messengers. The interpretation mentioned above does not refer to the subjective conclusions and opinions of those who wrote and spoke.
Christ sheds some light on this process as he prepares His disciples for His coming death. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16.13). According to Christ, not even the Holy Spirit would reveal an opinion, He would reveal that which He had heard and was thus commanded to deliver. Christ himself only spoke those things that He had been given and commanded by the Father. "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (John 14.10). This places the origin of all inspired writings with God the Father, not with man, eliminating the idea that these are the opinions and experiences of those who were "move to write.
In religious discussions, the statement, "that is just your opinion", needs to be dealt with. The fact is that if I can show you a book, chapter and verse for what I say, and I avoid my own subjective distortions of what is taught, then it is no longer my opinion, it is the word of God. That presents a problem for some folks. There are those who can quote the works of Billy Graham and other prominent theologians, regarding their thoughts and opinions higher than those found in the scriptures. Religious writers, who fill bookshelves with scores of writings, expressing their opinions, are regarded in such esteem because they typically have degrees behind their name, or, have large "ministries" that have influenced millions. While there is a great deal of practical advice that is good, and a degree of truth that is taught, there is sufficient error to cause those who rely on these writings, or opinions, to be lost.
In my opinion, one must be careful about whose opinion we take. My opinion is that if the Bible does not teach something we should not accept that as doctrine. That opinion however is based on what the scriptures teach. John states, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." (2 John 9). Do I have right to have an opinion about something. Yes, I can, so long as that "opinion" does not violate the doctrine of the New Testament. There are several ways in which the doctrine is violated by opinion. One way is when something the Bible clearly states is avoided or discarded in exchange for a doctrine that has been determined by men. Another way that the doctrine is violated is when we simply reject something the Bible states and refuse to obey. Another way that the doctrine is violated is in the teaching and practice of things that the scriptures simply do not teach. In all of these cases there are those who defend such things based on their "opinions" that we have the ability and right to do this. The fact is that we must adhere to doctrine, and only that.
TLC