Probably because that terminology was never used by Christians until a handful of years ago. ... The way evangelicals speak about “Having a personal relationship with Christ” has nothing to do with the Bible (the terminology is entirely foreign to scripture), has no place in tradition and seems to have been invented only recently in the last few decades.
That's one reason I try not to talk that way. Everybody has a "personal relationship with Jesus". For some He's saviour. For others, judge.
Better to talk of repentance and faith, of the dying of the old self dying and the coming to life of the new. Work on faith as knowledge, assent and trust.
Some very good, orthodox Catholic thought in the above sentence...IMHO. You ever read any Teresa of Avila?
For once you and I agree entirely.
Oh, hell just froze over!