Everyone has an opinion. Some of us like to share ours more than others. By share I mean, of course, cram my point of view in the mouths of others and hold their snouts closed until they swallow. The most obnoxious of opinion “sharers” purchase domain names and post blogs so that the whole world can read our wisdom and nod their heads in agreement.
It’s funny though because we hold our opinions in opposition to the very definition of opinion. Calling your view an opinion means you recognize that other people will differ with you, and that given more information or maybe just some time, your opinion might change. This is why we have opinion polls and why politicians are constantly checking them. People change their minds. For example, in 1989, I thought that Rave 4 hairspray and acid washed jeans were high fashion. Opinion changed. In 1980, I thought that being a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader would be the best job ever. Opinion changed. (Do they even get paid???) And for many years I was sure that a cheeseburger and a chocolate milk shake was the tastiest combination on the planet. Ok, so maybe I’m still partial to greasy burgers and milk shakes, but at least I know (not to mention exemplify) what happens if you consume too many.
But as fickle as our opinions are, we act as though differing with us is at best absurd and at worst, a crime worthy of the death penalty (even if the opinion is one that is opposed to the death penalty!)
It dawned on me just recently that I can only think of one person in all of history who neither had nor shared an opinion with others. This seems impossible given our catch phrase “everyone is entitled to his or her opinon.” We just assume that everyone has one, but Jesus had no opinions. He spoke his mind, that’s for sure. But rather than saying, “I think…” he says, “I tell you the truth…” This is not an opinon, it is either the truth or a grand delusion. C.S. Lewis says Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic or the Lord. If you read what he says, it’s obvious he is not wavering. He doesn’t change his mind and he speaks with absolute certainty and authority. Was he crazy? Was he mendacious? (thank you, word-of-the-day widget) Read for yourself by clicking on the “Community Bible Reading” link to the right. I am convinced he speaks the truth. Maybe you would call this my opinion, but my opinion doesn’t matter. The truth does.