From the November/December, 1999 issue of *Touchstone*

Virgin Soldiers by Thomas S. Buchanan

Virgin Soldiers

For it is a shame even to speak of the things they do in secret.
—Ephesians 5:12

We live in a society that is far more interested in promoting vice than virtue. Perhaps all cultures have found sin to be more entertaining than purity, but we seem to be obsessed with sexual impurity to a degree that surpasses that of previous generations this century. Of course, this state of affairs has been much lamented in this journal and in many others.

The Apostle Paul told the Ephesians that it was not appropriate even to speak of the things done by those who lived according to their passions. We, however, not only speak of them, but also record them on film and transmit them into millions of homes throughout the land. Ironically, it is not of sinful things that we dare not speak, but of spiritual things, especially the word that describes a person who adopts a lifestyle of sexual purity: virgin. The word itself is almost embarrassing to utter in our topsy-turvy world. I see college students every day, and I have heard young people described by their sexual orientation, but I do not recall ever hearing someone described as a virgin except in a derogatory way. Even devout Christians do not think of using virgin to describe one another, even when applicable. We seem to miss the fact that what is an embarrassment in our culture was a title of honor throughout most of the history of Christianity.

THIS ARTICLE ONLY AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS.
FOR QUICK ACCESS:

Thomas S. Buchanan is the George W. Laird Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware. He has studied at UCSD, Northwestern University, and MIT, and has held visiting professorships at the University of Western Australia and the University of Aix-Marseille. He has served as department chairman, deputy dean, and institute director, president of the American Society of Biomechanics, and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Applied Biomechanics. He is on the Board of Trustees of Saint Katherine College, the editorial board of Touchstone, and the board of The Fellowship of St. James.

calling all readers

Please Donate

"There are magazines worth reading but few worth saving . . . Touchstone is just such a magazine."
—Alice von Hildebrand

"Here we do not concede one square millimeter of territory to falsehood, folly, contemporary sentimentality, or fashion. We speak the truth, and let God be our judge. . . . Touchstone is the one committedly Christian conservative journal."
—Anthony Esolen, Touchstone senior editor

Support Touchstone

• Not a subscriber or wish to renew your subscription? Subscribe to Touchstone today for full online access. Over 30 years of publishing!

personal subscriptions

Purchase
Online Subscription

Get a one-year full-access subscription to the Touchstone online archives including pdf downloads for only $19.95. That's only $1.66 per month!

RENEW your online subscription

Purchase Print &
Online Subscription

Get six issues (one year) of Touchstone PLUS full online access including pdf downloads for only $39.95. That's only $3.34 per month!

RENEW your print/online
subscription

gift subscriptions

GIVE Print &
Online Subscription

Give six issues (one year) of Touchstone PLUS full online access including pdf downloads for the reduced rate of $29.95. That's only $2.50 per month!

RENEW your gift subscription

Transactions will be processed on a secure server.

bulk subscriptions

Order Touchstone subscriptions in bulk and save $10 per sub! Each subscription includes 6 issues of Touchstone plus full online access to touchstonemag.com—including archives, videos, and pdf downloads of recent issues for only $29.95 each! Great for churches or study groups.

kindle subscription

OR get a subscription to Touchstone to read on your Kindle for only $1.99 per month! (This option is KINDLE ONLY and does not include either print or online.)

Your subscription goes a long way to ensure that Touchstone is able to continue its mission of publishing quality Christian articles and commentary.