What happens to the poor, innocent native in Africa or Australia or South America or wherever,

who has never ever heard of Jesus Christ?

It's amazing how often that question comes.

I teach seminary and frequently the question comes out of the lips of seminary students who are bothered by this question.

And I sometimes, when I hear it, I think, oh, I've heard that question so many, many times.

I'm getting tired of answering it. And then I checked myself in mid-thought and I think, oh, I've heard that question so many, many times. I'm getting tired of answering it.

And then I checked myself in mid-thought, and I say, yes, but I remember the first time I raised that question.

It bothered me.

It's an obvious question, isn't it?

I mean, if we have any concern for people, if we have

any compassion for people, we must ask the question, what happens to people who have never

ever had the opportunity to hear about Christ? And so this is not just an idle question.

It's an important question.

But usually the way it's phrased is what happens to the poor, innocent native in Africa

who has never heard of Christ.

Well, when I hear the question phrased in that manner, I have two answers for it, one of which is kind of a trick answer designed to stimulate deeper thought.

And the other answer is a more serious or more sober answer.

Then I'll give you both.

I'll give you the first answer first.

When people say to me, R.C., what happens to the poor innocent native in Africa who has never

heard of Christ?

I said nothing happens to the poor innocent native in Africa.

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