How is it just for those who never hear the Gospel to be condemned? Is there a way for them to be saved?
This question poses little concern for the Calvinist who can simply say to himself (or herself) that those who never heard are not the elect; God would have gotten the Gospel to them if they were. The Universalist is greatly concerned with the question, indeed it has shown itself to be a major impetus to their peculiar interpretation of scripture.
Does the bible definitively answer the question, or hint at the answer? I think it does.
Some believe the answer to be given in Romans 2:11-16:
11. For there is no partiality with God.
12. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13. (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14. for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15. who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16. in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
I myself had rejected this passage as an answer to the question because of Paul's remarks in chapter 3 ("all have sinned"), but I'm not so sure. Consider this remark by Alexander Campbell in his masterful "Sermon on the Law":
He appears to have had the passage in Romans 2 in mind."Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength; and thy neighbor as thyself." These, our Great Prophet teaches us, are the basis of the law of Moses, and of the Prophets: "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Indeed the Sinai law, and all Jewish law, is but a modification of them. These are of universal and immutable obligation. Angels and men, good and bad, are for ever under them. God, as our Creator, cannot require less; nor can we, as creatures and fellow-creatures, propose or expect less, as the standard of duty and perfection.--These are coeval with angels and men. They are engraven with more or less clearness on every human heart. These are the ground work or basis of the law, written in the heart of heathens, which constitute their conscience, or knowledge of right and wrong. By these their thoughts mutually accuse or else excuse one another. By these they shall be judged, or at least all who have never seen or heard a written law, or revelation. But for these principles there had never been either law or gospel.
Another possible hint, to my mind, is 2 corinthians 8:12:
(New King James Version)
12. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
Perhaps this is an applicable principle.
Another solution that has been proposed is that of mercy. God can judge and condemn, and then, as is His sovereign prerogative, grant mercy upon whom He deems it appropriate.
And another is that God knows who would have accepted the Gospel had they heard it and juges them on that basis. I can't recall a scripture that supports that one, perhaps someone does.
Let's hear your thoughts. (ducking from everyone)