The Grace of God for Believers in Remote Areas
Introduction
I recently taught a bible study class at my church home, the Channel of Grace Worship Center, in Edgewood, MD. The lesson’s title was “The Consequences of Turning Away, Understanding God’s Wrath.”
In response to the thought-provoking questions raised during our dialog, this article takes us on a thoughtful journey to explore the theological inquiry surrounding the fate of individuals in remote areas who have never heard the Gospel but believe in God. As we grapple with the implications of God’s justice and mercy in such scenarios, we seek to deepen our understanding of how divine grace operates beyond the confines of traditional evangelism.
I want to point out that mentioning “justice” in this article touches on the Christian perspective, highlighting its stark contrast with the secular-postmodern notion that “justice” is merely a human-made social construct. However, a detailed exploration of justice will be reserved for future discussion. In this article, I aim to explore how God’s salvation might reach those who have not heard or seen the traditional teachings of the Gospel. Specifically, I will discuss how people with faith not directly based on the gospel proclamation can find paths to redemption.
Many believers are engaged in whether people in remote areas who have never heard the Bible or the Gospel can still be accepted into heaven. This question touches upon the very nature of God’s grace, justice, and revelation to humanity. To explore this topic, we can turn to both biblical scriptures and the concept of general revelation to find assurance that God’s grace extends beyond the boundaries of human geography and knowledge.
Biblical Examples of Remote Believers
Melchizedek — The Priest of God Most High
One of the most compelling examples of a remote individual who believed in God without the benefit of the Bible or the Gospel is Melchizedek. In Genesis 14:18–20, he appears as the King of Salem and a priest of God Most High. Melchizedek blesses Abram and receives tithes from him, indicating his recognition and worship of the one true God.
Melchizedek is often seen as an example of a believer in God and a priest of the Most High, even though, as recorded in the Bible, he lived long before the formal establishment of the Jewish religion and before the revelation of the Gospel.
According to the biblical account in Genesis, Melchizedek was already serving as a priest of God Most High in Salem (Jerusalem) during Abraham's time. This suggests that he had a relationship with God and practiced a form of worship recognized and honored by Abraham.
While Melchizedek’s specific beliefs and practices are not detailed in the Bible, his recognition as a priest of God Most High and his blessing of Abraham indicate a faith and devotion to God that transcended the boundaries of any formal religious system or written scripture.
Genesis 14:18–20: 18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
Melchizedek’s story shows that even without written scripture, an individual can have a relationship with God through faith and recognition of His sovereignty.
The Magi — Seekers of the King
Another notable example is the Magi from the East, who visited Jesus after His birth. These wise men were likely from a distant land and were not Jews. Their journey to find the newborn King of the Jews was guided by a star, a form of general revelation.
Like Melchizedek, the Magi are often seen as examples of individuals who, despite not being part of the Jewish religious tradition or having access to the Gospel as we know it today, were able to recognize and respond to the divine presence of Jesus. Their journey to Bethlehem and their worship of Jesus demonstrate a deep faith and a recognition of his significance as a king and savior.
Matthew 2:1–2 (NLT) | 1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
The Magi’s recognition of Jesus’ significance and their journey to worship Him illustrates that God’s revelation can reach even those far removed from Israel and its scriptures.
General Revelation and God’s Justice
The Bible teaches that God reveals Himself to all people through general revelation, which includes nature, history, and the human conscience.
Nature as a Witness
Psalm 19:1–4 describes how the heavens and the skies declare God's glory, making His presence known to all humanity.
Pslam 19:1–4 (NLT) | 1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
Psalm 19:1–4 is attributed to King David, the author of many Psalms in the Bible. In these verses, David reflects on the beauty and majesty of the natural world, particularly the heavens and the skies, and how they reveal God's glory and presence to all people.
I spoke briefly about general revelation during my bible study teaching last week. Some refer to this concept as “natural revelation.” As I shared during my teaching last week, general revelation in Christian theology refers to the idea that God can be known through nature and the created world. It is distinct from “special revelation,” which is the knowledge of God that comes through specific divine interventions or supernatural means, such as through the Bible or Jesus Christ.
Psalm 19:1–4 is often cited as an example of general revelation, as it highlights how the natural world's beauty, order, and complexity point toward God's existence and greatness. David's language in these verses emphasizes the universal nature of this revelation, suggesting that the message of God’s glory is available to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.
In this way, Psalm 19:1–4 underscores the idea that the natural world can serve as a powerful witness to the existence and attributes of God, inviting all people to consider and acknowledge the divine presence in the world around them.
My Bible teaching this past Tuesday specifically studied Paul’s reinforcement of this idea in Romans 1:20, stating that God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power, and divine nature have been clearly seen through what has been made so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20 (NLT) | 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Conscience as a Guide
Romans 2:14–15 explains that even those who do not have the law (the written scriptures) can act righteously because the requirements of the law are written in their hearts.
Romans 2:14–15 (NLT) | 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
This passage suggests a moral law written in the hearts of all people, even those who have not been exposed to the explicit teachings of the Bible or the Gospel. It implies that individuals may have a sense of right and wrong, guided by their conscience and an innate understanding of morality.
From a theological perspective, some scholars and theologians interpret this passage to suggest that individuals who have not heard the Gospel may still have the opportunity to respond to God based on the moral law written in their hearts. They argue that God’s justice and mercy extend to all people, regardless of their access to specific religious teachings.
The Inclusiveness of God’s Grace
These examples and scriptures illustrate that human constraints do not limit God’s grace. While the Bible and the Gospel are the clearest revelations of God’s nature and His plan for salvation, God has made Himself known in various ways to all people in His infinite mercy.
Jesus Himself acknowledges this inclusiveness when He speaks of the final judgment in Matthew 25:31–40, emphasizing that those who have acted with love and compassion towards others have, in essence, acted towards Him, even if they did not explicitly know Him.
The Final Judgement
Matthew 25:31:40 (NLT) | 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
In this passage, Jesus underscores that He recognizes actions that reflect God’s love and justice, suggesting that genuine faith and righteous living are acknowledged even if one does not explicitly know the Gospel.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Another moving illustration of God’s expansive grace is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). The Samaritan, considered a foreigner and outsider by the Jews, exemplifies true neighborly love and compassion, fulfilling God’s command to love one’s neighbor. Jesus uses this parable to demonstrate that obedience to God’s moral laws transcends cultural and religious boundaries.
Luke 10:33–34 (NLT) | 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.
The Nature of God’s Salvation
The Bible makes it clear that God’s desire is for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth (1 Timothy 2:4). God’s grace is proactive and inclusive, reaching out to humanity in myriad ways. This is evident in the way God interacts with individuals and communities throughout the Bible, irrespective of their geographical or cultural context.
1 Timothy 2:4 (NLT) | 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
This scripture touches on the theological issue known as the fate of those who have never heard the Gospel but still believe in God. The scripture indeed emphasizes the inclusive nature of God’s desire for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. This verse reflects that God’s love and grace extend to all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. It suggests that God actively seeks the salvation of all people and desires a relationship with them.
In the context of individuals in remote areas who have never heard the Gospel but still believe in God, some theologians propose the concept of “anonymous Christians.” This is a controversial Christian doctrine that suggests people who, through no fault of their own, have not been exposed to the explicit message of Christianity may still have the opportunity to be saved through their sincere faith in God as they understand Him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the biblical narrative and the concept of general revelation affirm that God’s grace and salvation are not confined to the reach of the written word or geographical proximity to the centers of religious teaching. The examples of Melchizedek, the Magi, and the Good Samaritan underscore that faith, righteous living, and a genuine seeking of God are recognized and honored by Him.
As both my Bishop Ken Harper and I shared during my Bible study teaching last week, it's important to note that this topic is the subject of ongoing discussion and debate among theologians and scholars. There are a variety of perspectives within Christian thought regarding the fate of those who have never heard the Gospel. Ultimately, the specifics of how God interacts with individuals in remote areas who have not had the opportunity to hear the Gospel are open to interpretations based on theological traditions and perspectives.
God’s mercy ensures that those who earnestly seek Him, even in the world’s remotest parts, are not forsaken. Psalm 145:18 assures us, “ The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.” This inclusiveness of God’s grace encourages us to trust in His sovereign ability to reach every heart, irrespective of their circumstances, demonstrating that His love and salvation are truly universal.
It’s a Great Day to Be Alive! — #ToddCPittman
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely my personal opinions and interpretations. They do not represent the official stance or beliefs of the Channel of Grace Worship Center. As discussions on theological topics can vary widely within religious communities, it is important to recognize that individual perspectives may differ, and these views should not be attributed to the Channel of Grace Worship Center or its affiliated members.
