Do People Who Have Never Heard of Christ Have Any Chance of Salvation
Rev Charlie (October 2021)
The question of whether a person can be saved without having heard the Gospel is a complex and difficult subject and extremely hard to tackle in a short newsletter article. I have done my best and with more time I might do better. I have endeavoured to understand and interpret some of the relevant biblical texts; there are, of course, many others besides those mentioned in this article. I do not have all the answers (and sometimes I may get it wrong), but it is important to wrestle with the ‘tough questions.’
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This and various other verses have caused many to question whether a person who has not heard of Jesus can come to the Father (i.e. be saved). At first glance, it seems unfair for a person to be disqualified because of an historical accident, namely the time and place of their birth.
The first thing to say is that God is entirely just and righteous. As the psalmist proclaims, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” (Psalm 89: 14) God is perfectly fair in all his dealings with human beings. In the end, no one will be able to say that they have been unfairly treated.
If it were not possible to receive salvation without having a conscious knowledge of Jesus, then everyone from the Old Testament would stand condemned. However, we know that some were saved because the power of the cross works both ways through history. For example, Moses and Elijah met with Jesus and three of his disciples on a mountain. Moses and Elijah were saved on the basis of Jesus’ death and resurrection, even though they lived hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Salvation came to God’s people in the Old Testament through Christ, just as it comes to us through Christ. However, it should be noted that God’s people in the Old Testament were chosen by God and received special revelation from God.
Romans 1 and 2 indicate that human beings will be judged based on the information that they have available to them. Paul states that all human beings have sufficient information to be aware of the existence of God and of his moral law. Firstly, we have God’s revelation in nature. That is to say, creation, in all its beauty and splendour testifies to the existence of God. Secondly, having been created in the image of God, we have God’s moral law written on our hearts. On this basis, some have suggested that a person can be saved through Christ, based on their response to God as revealed through his general revelation in nature and conscience.
However, Paul’s point in Romans 1 and 2 is that in spite of receiving God’s general revelation, people choose to worship gods of their own making and plunge themselves into immorality and degeneracy. It is tempting to conjure up the image of an innocent tribesman, who lived in a remote part of the Amazon Rainforest and led a morally upright life. Regrettably, no such person has ever existed for ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ (Rom. 3: 23)
In general terms, humanity stands condemned, not for its lack of faith in Christ, but for its rebellion against God. Inevitably, our own sinfulness inclines us to downplay the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God. We therefore fail to comprehend the miracle of God’s grace in his choosing to save anyone at all.
There are no historical accidents concerning the time and place of a person’s birth. It has therefore been suggested that God has providentially chosen the time and place of each person’s birth so that those who would respond positively to the gospel are given the opportunity to hear it. Whether or not that is true, it is hard to escape the conclusion that ‘hearing’ the good news of Jesus is a prerequisite to being saved. As it says in Romans 10: 13-15:
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
It seems that hearing the good news, and responding positively to it, is paramount. However, there is scriptural evidence of an important exception.
When we think of those who died without ever hearing the name of Jesus, we tend to think of those living in antiquity or in very remote parts of the world. However, there are people in twenty-first century Australia who live and die without having had the opportunity to respond to the Gospel. For example, those with severe learning disabilities or children who tragically pass away very early on in life. In the book of 2 Samuel when King David’s baby son dies, he is convinced that he has gone to be with the Lord, saying:
While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
Moreover, when the disciples rebuked people for bringing little children (or babies) to Jesus, Jesus responded with these words, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Sin is like a hereditary disease that is present in every human being; however, some never develop the physical and mental capacity to do or think anything sinful and are therefore innocent. Thus we have a category of person (huge in number), who will be saved in spite of their never hearing, understanding or responding to the Gospel.
In conclusion, we cannot be confident that salvation will come to any persons who do not hear the gospel, though there are some notable exceptions, mentioned above. That said, we might reasonably expect to be surprised by some aspect of God’s judgement and whilst we try to understand these things on the basis of scripture, we should perhaps refrain from being too dogmatic in our assertions of who God may or may not choose to save. If you are troubled by this question (or by my response to it), it will be helpful to refocus on the character of God; his love, grace, mercy and righteousness. One thing upon which all Christians agree is that we can trust God to do what is right and just by all people.
He rules the world in righteousness
and judges the peoples with equity.
(Psalm 9: 8)
If you have a question that you would like me to attempt to answer, please email me at charlie@standrewsspringfield.org.au.
