What about the Heathen?

Is it fair that people who have never heard about Christ,can be condemned to eternal hell? Now that's the real $64,000 dollar question! First of all we must ask...

Are the Heathen Lost?

All human beings are born in sin(Ps.51:5)and are "by nature the children of wrath"(Eph.2:3),for "just as sin entered the world through one man,and death through sin,and in this way death came to all men,because all have sinned(in Adam)-"(Rom.5:12). Explicitly referring to the heathen(who have only general revelation),Paul declares,Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen ,being understood from what has been made,so that men are without excuse"(Rom.1:20).

(Indeed ,when Gentiles,who do not have the law,do by nature things required by the law,they are a law to themselves,even though they do not have the law(of Moses),since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts,their consciences also bearing witness,and their thoughts now accusing,now even defending them.) Now this will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ,as my gospel declares(Rom. 2:14-16).

Then summing up his conclusion from the whole section,Paul pronounces that "there is no difference,for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Rom.3:22-23).

Yes,the heathen are lost apart from Christ.


Can the Heathen be saved Apart From the Work of Christ?

There is no salvation apart from Christ's finished work on the cross. Jesus said,"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"(John 14:6). Paul adds,"There is one God and one mediator between God and men,the man Christ Jesus"(1 Tim.2:5)."Salvation is found in no one else,for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved"(Act:12). In our age there is no way to be saved without believing in Christ(Acts 4:12; Rom.10:9; John 3:16,18,36; 5:24).

Is it Just to Condemn Those Who Have Never Heard the Gospel?

Yes,for at least three reasons.

First,they have received God's general revealation. They know about His "eternal power and divine nature"(Rom.1:21). They are informed that He "made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them"(Acts 14:15). They are aware that God"has not left himself without testimony:He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons"(Acts 14:17).

Second,God has revealed Himself to the unevangelized both in creation and in conscience;if they reject that light,God is not obligated to give them more,since they have turned against the light they already have(Rom.1:18). If man were lost in the darkness of a dense jungle and had just one glimps of light,he should go for it;if he turns his back on it and then is forever lost in the darkness,he has no one but himself to blame. "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world,but men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil"(John 3:19).

Third,as we have seen,God will provide the heathen with special revelation sufficient for salvation "if they seek Him through the general revelation"(nature & conscience).

Broadly,this can be done in at least two ways:(1) sending a believer to share the gospel with them or(2) using dreams,visions,and special revelation.


Sending a Missionary


It harminizes with scriptural examples of God sending a preacher to those whom He knows will respond to the gospel;for example,Peter being led to Cornelius(Acts 10). the writer of Hebrews(11:6)tells us that those who seek will find.


Using Visions,Dreams,or Specific Special Revelation

While it is normative(and perhaps even more fruitful)for God to use believers to bring the gospel to the unevangelized,it is possible that He may use other means at His disposal to deliver the message of the gospel to those who would believe if they heard it...