Book Review- The Scarlet Virgins

Book Review of The Scarlet Virgins from In Our Pond
The icons of the "Purity Culture" were well-known for most of the men and women who grew up in church during the 2000's.  Books like "I Kissed Dating Good-Bye," "The Bride Wore White," and "The Purity Code" were held at nearly the same level as the Bible.  Trinkets like purity rings and necklaces became the talisman given by parents to protect their children's sexuality.  There were even several purity events like ballssecret keeper fashion shows, knighting ceremonies, and True Love Waits pledges designed to continuously drive the purity mindset into the teens' heads.  It was the era of analogies like poop brownies, contaminated water, construction paper hearts, and trampled roses.  All the emphasis was placed on the young person's virginity, with several layers of "do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" laws added on top.

My husband and I grew up in the middle of the Purity Movement; however, we managed to glean all the positives from it and none of the negatives.  We are glad that we only dated each other, that we have very few relationship regrets, and that we had our first kiss on our wedding day.  If our children walked a similar path in the future, we would be pleased.

Book Review of The Scarlet Virgins from In Our Pond
picture from UnSplash

In the last few months, I have been introduced to the women who had a very different experience with the Purity Culture.  Many of them are raising awareness of the abuses as they work through how they will approach this subject with their own children.  Their stories can be found on Recovering Grace and To Love, Honor, and Vacuum.

Rebecca Lemke is one person who is speaking out about the legalism and dangers of the Purity Culture.  Through her touching book, The Scarlet Virgins, Rebecca chronicles her story of healing and hope, as she sheds the works-based Christianity of her childhood to rediscover grace.  Thirty-somethings who has been negatively affected by the Purity Culture will appreciate how the Gospel shines from her writing.  Parent, who are trying to work through what you should teach your children, will find lots of Scripture to guide you in Biblical thinking.  And church members, you will benefit from this cautionary tale.  Buy it, read it, pass it around- everyone needs to read this book.

"God’s love is more powerful than any force on heaven and earth.  It is greater than our sin. It is stronger than our pain.  It is more infinite than the scars that we bear on our bodies and spirits.  His love is the Truth that shines into the lies and cuts through the deception that has tied us down and trapped us.  God’s love sets us free from legalism, our own sinful nature, and from death itself; such is the power of the blood of the Lamb."
                                                                          - Rebecca Lemke, The Scarlet Virgins

Book Review of The Scarlet Virgins from In Our Pond
Click on the picture to buy the book!


“Mrs.AOK,

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