Seems like I'm posting a lot of posts today... my apologies but I just realised I didn't answer your question about what the Bible says about those who have never heard. The OT teaches that Israel l was to be a nation holy unto God who would be "missionaries" in their own right ... the purpose of the calling of the nation according to Genesis 12: was that Israel was blessed to be a blessing. Israel never was chosen to keep the blessings of God to themselves, but to be the source of God blessing the entire world.. "all the families on the earth will be blessed through you". God told Abraham, who himself was to become the father of many nations.
Now.. Israel's history as recorded in the OT is that she was sometimes disobedient.. yet even in her disobedience, as we saw in the story of God hardening Pharoh's heart.. God was still about showing Israel, and then all the nations of the earth His salvation.
In the New Testament, Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all nations... the call of God on true believers is exactly the same today as it was to Israel.. we are blessed to be a blessing... to take God's salvation to the world. But what of the many who still haven't heard?
I am afraid I have to go to the letters of Paul for the answer, but I'm sure you will agree they do make sense
I wrote this in answer to a similar post in another forum.. this is an excerpt...
every culture has a moral code put there in their hearts because all men are made in the image of God.
Because they morally know the difference between right and wrong, when they choose to do wrong.. they become morally responsible before God. They are also a Law unto themselves in that their own moral conscience tells them of their own personal guilt when they step outside that moral law. (how many of us feel guilty when we tell a lie?)... "through the Law we become conscious of sin" Interestingly Romans is full of verses saying how even trying to live a good righeous life will leave you knowing that you are not able to (Romans 8:3). God has said he will judge them and He is without fault. As to the end of those who have never heard... Our God is a just God. That they will face judgement like you and I is without doubt. But God is their Judge not me.
As a Christian, I need to be obedient to what God has called me to do.. and that is go to every tribe, every people group and every language group and tell them the good news that God has provided for the deepest need of every man, woman and child on this planet.. the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and of a relationship with God and assurance of life after death with Him.