Chapter 5
The Power of Words

What happens if two people are talking, and they use the same vocabulary, but they have a different dictionary? What if the same word means quite different things to them?

They may think that they understand one another when in reality they have no idea of what the other person is thinking. They may think that they are in agreement about something when they actually disagree.

This can happen between Catholics and Protestants. For example, let's look at the word "grace".

My pastor defines "grace" as God's "unmerited favor". The "Pocket Catholic Dictionary" has a complex, three-paragraph definition of "grace" and then suggests that the reader look at entries for actual grace, efficacious grace, habitual grace, justifying grace, sacramental grace, sanctifying grace, and sufficient grace. It also has entries for "baptismal graces" and "state of grace". [Note 1]

According to Catholic doctrine, if a person does supernaturally inspired good works while in a "state of grace," then that person merits a "divine reward". [Note 2]

The liturgical ritual for baptizing infants includes a prayer asking God to give grace to the water in the baptismal font (the water which will be used to sprinkle the infant). [Note 3]

So for Catholics, "grace" is something which can be given to inanimate objects such as water. When I was a Catholic, this made sense to me. Now that I am a Protestant, and I have some understanding of Scripture, the idea is incomprehensible.

There is another way in which words can cause confusion. Catholic theologians speak of three degrees of homage, which have Latin words. "Latria" is the kind of worship which is due to God alone. "Dulia" is appropriate for honoring the saints. "Hyperdulia" is appropriate for honoring Mary. It is higher than "dulia" but not "latria". Because of these three words, Catholic theologians say that Catholics do not worship Mary.

However, in the real world, these theological distinctions don't work. Most Catholics have never heard of these words. Of those who have, how many know how to apply them in practical ways? Catholics are not taught how to engage in "hyperdulia" without crossing a line that results in actually practicing "latria" towards Mary without realizing it.

Some ways of using words can result in statements which are technically correct, but totally misleading. For example, during the Inquisition, the Inquisitors passed sentences on people who were charged with heresy. People were often sentenced to being burned at the stake. The civil authorities were ordered to carry out the sentences. If they refused, then they were charged with heresy.

Because the civil authorities did the actual killing, Catholic apologists can say that not many people were killed by the Inquisition.

The Inquisition lasted for over six hundred years and it was used in many countries. In Spain, during the 15 years that Torquemada was Grand Inquisitor, over 114,000 people were tortured by the Inquisition. Of these, 10,220 were burned at the stake. Many others were sentenced to stay in prison until they died. [Note 4]

I have read statements by Catholic apologists who try to minimize the Inquisition by comparing it with the massive slaughter of Hitler and Stalin. However, numbers don't give the full picture. During the Inquisition, people were tortured by Catholic monks who were wearing their habits. I have read accounts of monks who were reciting the rosary while they were torturing their victims. [Note 5]

Following is another example of using words in a way which is technically correct, but totally misleading. For centuries, the Catholic Church would not allow the Bible to be translated into English. It was only available in Latin.

A Catholic apologist told me that this made no difference because the common people were illiterate. They were unable to read and write. They would not have been able to read the Bible even if it had been available in English.

However, during Mass, the priests read passages from Scripture out loud. Even people who can't read are able to understand what they hear. If the Scripture passages had been read in English, then the people would have understood them.

When the Bible was finally translated into English, it was kept in a church. Crowds of people came to that church to hear what was written in the Bible. All day long, men took turns reading the Bible out loud, while the crowds of people listened. (This is online.) [Note 6]