Biblical Theological Seminary
ST777 Seminar: Attacks on Christianity
Dr. Robert C. Newman
WHATABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD?*
Introduction:
Christianityteaches that Jesus Christ is the only way to be reconciled with God, that thosewho are depending on their own righteousness will not be able to stand in thejudgment.
Acommon concern expressed by many when they hear this message is to feel itcannot be right, for God would be unjust to condemn to hell those who havenever heard the message of salvation.
Wantto consider this subject today; what does Bible have to say about this? What can we reasonably infer from whatit tells us?
Revelation Mystery, Curiosity:
Job 38‑41:God's answer to Job: you really don't know enough about universe to intelligently question the morality of God's actions
John 21:20‑23:Jesus' answer to Peter: what happens to John is really none of your business.
Thereis a great deal we do not know about why God does what he does, but he assuresus that he will always do what is really right and that this will bedemonstrated for all to see at the Last Judgment.
Biblical Balance:
Deut 4:2: don't add to or subtract fromGod's word
Deut 5:32: don't turn to right or left
Weneed to be careful in responding to such problems as this to deal fairly withwhat the Bible says, not just grabbing a verse or two and running with them,nor rejecting the Scripture because we don't like what it says (since there isexcellent evidence it is the Word of God as claimed).
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*presentedto IVCF, E. Stroudsburg Univ, 5 May 1983
The Plight of Mankind:
Matt22:35‑40: the two great commandments
Rom3:10‑18: man's sinfulness described
Rom2:1‑16: man judges himself in the act of judging
John3:16‑21: man already condemned for wickedness, not for his response to Christ
The Uniqueness of Christ:
John14:6: Jesus the way; no one comes to Father but thru him
Acts4:12: salvation in no one else; no other name...by which we must be saved
[suggested explanation: Jesus only beingin universe both created and non‑created; he is only being who has"surplus righteousness" that can be given away]
What About Those Who Have Never Heard?
Rom10:12‑21: there aren't any!
Certainlymany have never heard of Jesus per se, but this was true of all mankind before Christ came.
Yetthe Bible certainly does not represent all people as lost before then.
Norwas the OT law an alternative way, for people were saved before Moses, andbefore Abraham (and it is impossible for blood of bulls & goats to takeaway sin); apparently people saved (from their side) thru a certain kind ofresponse to what they knew.
Suggestall men hear Gospel thru general revelation (note Rom 10:18);mankind can learn following:
(1) God exists and is moral (Ps 19:1‑6;Ps 94:9; Rom 1:18‑20).
(2)We do not measure up to the moral stds. within us (Rom 2:1‑2).
(3) Our only hope is tocast ourselves on him for mercy, though we do not know whether or how he can bemerciful (see Jonah 3:4‑10; Joel 2:12‑14). In fact, only thru the work of Christcan God be merciful to sinners and still be just.
DoesnŐt This Destory the Need for Missions?
Noway! Is there no need toevangelize members of liberal churches because they have the Bible?
Thereis no explicitindication that many (or even any) are being saved today without informationabout Jesus.
TheBible certainly indicates that more are saved if more proclamation is given(Jer 23:22; Matt 11:21)
Inany case, this is hypothetical for you personally.
You Have Heard
What are you going to do about it?
Are you unsaved?: Come to Jesus!
Are you saved?: Go to others, help them come to Jesus.