What is the Biblical basis for born-again virginity?

Question

The concept of being born again as a virgin spiritually (although physical virginity is no longer intact) has been a catchphrase I've noticed in the past few years. What is the Biblical basis for this trend? I would like to know if Jesus specifically had anything to say about this. From what I understand, He pardoned the sexual sins of Mary Magdalene, for example, but did not mention the need to be a born-again virgin, merely chaste from that point forward (not re-claiming virginity). If this does not come from the Bible, where did the idea for the need to be a born-again virgin originate?

Answer 1

TL;DR

“Born-again virginity” or “second virginity” is not a concept that is expounded by any of the Biblical authors. It is not formal doctrine, nor is there any requirement in the Scriptures to become a virgin again.

Idolatry = Adultery; Holiness = Virginity

Among the most prominent analogies of man's relationship to God in the Old Testament prophets is that of marriage. The relationship that a woman has to her husband is likened to the relationship that Israel was to have with God. Israel was not to "prostitute" herself with other gods. (E.g. Jer 2:20, Ezek 23, Hos 2:1-13)

It is in this sense that virginity is primarily spoken about in the Bible. Many times, a “virgin” is used synonymously with “unmarried woman” because one was expected to be the other, but where virginity (or the lack thereof) is discussed at any length, it largely has to do with the relationship of a husband and wife or metaphorically with Israel’s relationship with God (or the church’s relationship with Jesus).

Second Virginity

Second virginity is not likely to be a part of any group’s formal doctrine, because it is not an idea that originates in the Bible.

I have only heard the concept addressed in the context of sexuality regarding people who recognize that they’ve made mistakes sexually, but want to return to the (spiritual and emotional, primarily, but perhaps to a much lesser extent, physical) pristine and clean state of innocence/virginity so that if/when they marry in the future, their relationship with thier spouse will not be further hindered by the sins of their past. Though it is impossible for someone to actually regain their innocence, the idea is a call to return to appropriate and healthy behavior (abstinence until marriage). In part, the idea is probably meant to give some measure of hope in recovery for people who have forsaken their sexual innocence but long to return to it for the sake of their own integrity and as a “gift” to their future spouse.

I think this is an application of Christian concepts. I don’t know if one could make a case for it being a need or requirement. I have only heard it spoken of as if it were desirable for the sake of having a healthy marriage in the future.