Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 08:3 (Fall 1967)
Article: Global Iniquity
Author: Raymond E. Gingrich

---

GJ 8:3 (Fall 67) p. 17

Global Iniquity

Raymond E. Gingrich

Professor of Bible
LeTourneau College

Historians someday will write that the United States in the 1960’s experienced an era of anarchy unparalleled in a free country governed originally by a written constitution and once dedicated to the principle of law and order.
We are today on the verge of a complete breakdown of our governmental structures.1

Here, we have a statement that not only presents a noted columnist’s views concerning the State of the Nation during this decade, but that also stirs the heart of one who examines current trends through the spectrum of divine prophecy.

The anarchy to which Mr. Lawrence refers is but an expression of the spirit of iniquity which affects not only the United States, but has also permeated the world systems: East and West; North and South.

What is this iniquity which appears in the title of this paper? It is a translation of anomia a word which appears frequently in the New Testament, and means “Without law,” hence “lawless” (Matt 24:12; 2 Thess 2:3, 7–8; 1 John 3:4). In its essence it is, fundamentally and constitutionally, rebellion against the sovereignty of God. It is, therefore, insubordination to divine law; and, hence, to human government and law which are ordained by God for the orderly existence of human society. “Iniquity” is the word used in the King James Version for “lawlessness,” the word adopted, for example, by the Lockman Foundation scholars for the New American Standard Bible (a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901).

Iniquity (lawlessness) is basically an attitude, rather than a succession of acts against society and against God. The violations of law and order are but the symptoms of the ailment: the spirit of lawlessness that produces the symptoms. Behind this attitude is a controlling personality who is the embodiment and essence of iniquity. This being is Satan. He is at the root of all lawless activities, so that his masterpiece, the Lawless One who shall appear at the climax of this age, is energized by none other than Satan himself (2 Thess 2:9). This Lawless One will be brought into focus again in the final portion of this study. It is sufficient at this point to state, as does George G. Findlay, that “the Lawless One is the ultimate embodiment of the world’s wickedness and defiance of God.”2 The Apostle ...

visitor : : uid: ()