Faith Before Hearing or After?

In a 1971 write up by Concordia on the "Primitive Baptist" denomination (see here), the authors were told through correspondence by a Hardshell elder:

"One must have faith before the gospel can reach him, and 'faith is the gift of God'" (cited letter from Elder Fletcher)."

What a fantastic statement! Faith precedes hearing that which is believed! In Romans 10 Paul said that "faith comes by hearing the word of God" but the Hardshells disagree with Paul. Paul said that one cannot believe in God whom they have heard nothing about nor in a Jesus of whom they never heard anything! Paul said they cannot hear without a preacher but the Hardshells say that they believe without a preacher or without having anything to believe! Absurdity of absurdities! Surely this must be willing ignorance and downright stubbornness. It shows disrespect of the word of God to handle it in such a fashion. It is downright dangerous heresy.

In the same writing, we have these words that seem to be attributed to Elder Lasserre Bradley, Jr. The article says:

"In a 23-page tract, What Do Primitive Baptists Believe? (Cincinnati, Ohio: Baptist Bible Hour, 1965), Elder Lasserre Bradley, Junior, speaks for many (possibly for most) Primitive Baptists (although not for all on every point) when he affirms salvation by grace, unconditioned by repentance, faith, Baptism, or hearing the Gospel...One need not be a Primitive Baptist to go to heaven. "No one will be there because of what he believed, but many will be there in spite of it. One's doctrinal views or church affiliation has nothing to do with his destiny."

"No one will be there because of what he believed, but many will be there in spite of it"? 

What if he believes there is no deity? What if he believes in Lucifer? What if he believes in lords and gods many? What if he believes that Jesus is a fake and that Christianity is a myth?

What a dangerous heresy is this doctrine of hardshellism! Ought it not to be faced down and opposed with all our might?

Jesus said "except you believe that I am, you will die in your sins."  (John 8:24) Who you going to believe, Jesus or the Hardshells?