If Conscious Belief in Jesus Is Required for Salvation, How Is that Fair to Those Who Have Never Hea
Romans 1:20-21 says, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
Creation itself testifies about its Creator, and Romans 2:15 tells us God’s law is written on our hearts and our consciences reveal a sense of right and wrong, so that even without more information we are able to know that God exists and there are some things that are morally right and some things that are morally wrong. This is known as general or natural revelation. And even with just this basic bit of information, Paul tells us we are without excuse.
Although man rejected natural revelation, God added to it special revelation such as the Mosaic Law and the prophets of the nation of Israel. These were rejected as well, and yet God’s unfolding revelation continued and reached its apex in His Son, Jesus Christ. While Jesus was the highest form of revelation, He was not the end of God's revealing work. The fully inspired New Testament followed Christ’s crucifixion, further revealing the nature and the person of God and His plan for man’s salvation.
First Timothy 2:4 tells us that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” We have seen that He displayed exceptional patience with the Canaanites and tremendous mercy toward Nineveh and even Sodom and Gomorrah. He has shown progressive revelation even when it has been rejected. Therefore, it stands to reason that he would give more to anyone who accepts the revelation already provided and lives thereby. Throughout Scripture God indicates His supreme desire to enter into relationship with us. He is long-suffering and merciful. Is there any reason to believe He would withhold further knowledge of Himself from someone truly seeking it? The seeker may never know the gospel in detail and may never know the name Jesus Christ, but his heart’s yearning to know the Creator evidenced all around him will be answered by God.