8.219. Why do Traditional Catholics insist on precise theological language instead of modern terms like “faith journey” or “encounter”?
Traditional Catholics insist on the use of precise theological language because the Faith is rooted in objective truth revealed by God, which must be communicated accurately, without ambiguity or distortion. The words we use to express doctrine are not interchangeable or disposable—they are the guardians of truth. As St. Thomas Aquinas taught, “truth is the conformity of the mind to reality.” If the Church's language becomes vague or sentimental, its doctrines are easily misunderstood, compromised, or lost.
1. Theological Language and the Deposit of Faith
The Church has always been meticulous in defining her doctrines with clarity. Councils such as Nicaea (325), Ephesus (431), and Trent (1545–63) employed precise terminology to preserve orthodoxy and combat heresy. For example, the term consubstantial (homoousios) was adopted at Nicaea to safeguard the truth that the Son is equal to the Father in divinity. Likewise, the Council of Trent precisely defined terms like transubstantiation, mortal sin, and justification to protect the faithful from Protestant errors.
Traditional Catholics uphold this legacy. They reject imprecise or modernized terms because such language often obscures or alters the content of the Faith. Phrases used by Vatican II anti-popes such as “faith journey,” “God experience,” or “encounter with Christ” are ambiguous and subject to subjective interpretation. They lack doctrinal weight and do not convey the same clarity as terms like “conversion,” “sanctifying grace,” or “state of grace.”
2. Ambiguity Breeds Confusion and Error
The purpose of theological language is to convey definite truths about God, man, sin, salvation, and the Church. When vague language is introduced, the result is often theological confusion.
For example, Vatican II’s document Lumen Gentium used deliberately ambiguous expressions like “subsists in” (rather than “is”) when referring to the Church, and described non-Catholic communities as being “in partial communion.” Such language opened the door to interpreting the Catholic Church as merely one among many valid “faith communities,” undermining the dogma that the Catholic Church is the one true Church of Christ.
Modern terms like “faith journey” or “encounter” often imply a purely personal, emotional, or experiential religion rather than one grounded in objective truth. They shift focus from the doctrinal to the subjective. This undermines the certitude of the Faith and opens the door to indifferentism, where personal feelings are placed above divinely revealed dogma.
3. Precision Protects the Dogmas of the Faith
The Church teaches that God has revealed objective truths, not vague concepts. The use of specific terms ensures fidelity to that Revelation. Terms like:
Original sin – A real, inherited state of deprivation, not merely a “broken relationship”
Sanctifying grace – A habitual gift that makes the soul pleasing to God, not merely a “spiritual boost”
Mortal sin – A grave offense that kills the soul, not just “falling short”
Sacrifice of the Mass – A real, propitiatory sacrifice, not just a “Eucharistic celebration”
When traditional Catholics insist on using the correct theological terminology, they are defending the dogmas and protecting souls. Diluting these terms with modern euphemisms is not progress—it is doctrinal erosion.
4. The Role of Language in the Church’s Teaching Mission
Language is a key part of the Church's mission to teach all nations. As Pope Pius XII taught:
“Certain modern theologians...are bent on reforming theology by discarding traditional terms, and introducing new ones...which do not always retain the same meaning.”
He condemned this practice because the truths of the Faith are immutable and must be taught using language that preserves their integrity.
In contrast, Vatican II and post-conciliar documents often prioritize accessibility and relatability over precision. While understandable language is necessary, clarity must never be sacrificed. Theological terms may require explanation—but that is preferable to using trendy phrases that mask or replace doctrine altogether.
5. The Dangers of Sentimentalism and Subjectivism
Modern religious language tends toward the emotional and experiential. Phrases like:
“God meets you where you are”
“Your personal walk with Jesus”
“A faith journey of self-discovery”
...may sound appealing, but they often downplay the objective requirements of faith and moral life. They risk reducing the Faith to a therapeutic or self-help experience, rather than the supernatural life of grace instituted by God through His Church.
Traditional Catholics resist this shift because it places emotion over intellect and experience over doctrine. But as Scripture warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). Faith must be formed by truth, not feelings.
6. Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi: Language in Worship Reflects Belief
The principle lex orandi, lex credendi ("the law of prayer is the law of belief") means that how we pray reflects what we believe. This applies not only to liturgical rites but also to the theological language used in catechesis, devotions, and pastoral outreach.
When liturgical and catechetical language becomes modernist or vague, belief follows. This is why traditional Catholics preserve the precise language of traditional missals, breviaries, and catechisms. Words matter—because souls are at stake.
| Category | Traditional Catholic View | Post-Vatican II View | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose of Language | Define, clarify, and protect revealed truths | Express personal or communal experience | Imprecise terms obscure doctrine |
| Examples of Terms | Sanctifying grace, mortal sin, transubstantiation | Faith journey, encounter, brokenness | Modern terms lack theological precision |
| Effect on Doctrine | Preserves the Deposit of Faith unchanged | Leads to ambiguity and relativism | Vague words permit doctrinal shifts |
| Instructional Role | Teaches objective, defined truths | Focuses on subjective experience | Undermines catechesis and sound formation |
| Liturgical Language | Sacred, structured, doctrinally rich | Casual, spontaneous, emotionally driven | Lex orandi shapes lex credendi |
Summary:
Traditional Catholics insist on precise theological language because it is essential to safeguarding the truths of the Faith. Unlike modern terms such as “faith journey,” “encounter,” or “God experience,” which are vague and open to many interpretations, traditional terms convey objective realities defined by the Church. Words like transubstantiation, mortal sin, and sanctifying grace were carefully chosen by councils and saints to teach the Faith clearly and protect it from heresy.
Modern language, often emotional or experiential, risks reducing the Faith to a personal feeling or self-discovery process. This undermines the objective nature of revealed truth and opens the door to doctrinal confusion and relativism. Phrases such as “God meets you where you are” or “your unique walk with Jesus” can be interpreted in ways that justify sin or dismiss the necessity of conversion and grace.
By contrast, the Church’s traditional vocabulary is rooted in Scripture, developed through centuries of theological reflection, and ratified by infallible councils. It helps Catholics understand the seriousness of sin, the necessity of the sacraments, and the precise doctrines that must be believed for salvation. The Church has always taught that even slight changes in terminology can lead to serious doctrinal errors.
Traditional Catholics also recognize that language used in worship and catechesis shapes belief. When imprecise or modernized language replaces doctrinal clarity, the faithful become vulnerable to error. This is evident in how post-Vatican II catechesis has led to widespread ignorance of basic Catholic truths.
In short, traditional Catholics cling to the tried and true terminology of the Church because they know that souls are formed—and saved—by truth. As St. Paul said:
“Hold fast the form of sound words.”