What about those who have never heard?

One of the most common questions any pastor gets is some form of this: "What about those who have never heard of Jesus? Can they be saved? Are they 'safe'?"  While our emotions may pull us in a certain direction, we can look to the scriptures for truth that answers this question.  And holding a biblical-based conviction is vital to our understanding of the Gospel itself and our responsibility to convey it to the world.

Russell Moore, newly elected president of the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission, recounts a question he received about the issue:

"What about a man on an island?" Fifteen year-old Timothy interjected this question in the middle of a youth bible study on the topic of missions. "What about a man who has been stranded on a deserted island from the day he was born and he's never seen another person," he continued, to the sounds of nervous coughs and aluminum folding chairs shifting on the tile floor. "He's never seen a Bible and never heard of Jesus. What will happen to him when he dies?"

Read his answer and the entire article here.