It’s never about *can*.
It’s always about *will*.
People don’t disbelieve because they can’t believe but because they won’t believe.
“People don’t disbelieve because they can’t believe but because they won’t believe.”
I’m sure we agree in principle, but perhaps what people can’t and won’t do are essentially the same.
However, this addresses one of the many “hard sayings” of scripture:
John 12:39-40
Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”
The passage plainly says they “could not believe.” But my point is that the reason still lies within their own volition.
That is, God does not ordain or predestine anyone to destruction. Predestination for eternal life is because of God’s will. We set aside our own will and accept His will in its place. And we find that His will is better for us than our own.
People go to hell because of doing their own will. Obviously no one WANTS to suffer the pain of eternal judgment, but it is nevertheless the clinging to one’s own will that leads that person to destruction.
According to this passage, unbelief is the consequence of God hiding something from people. A person might even want to believe but find they can not convince themselves because they have never experienced a divine miracle or seen convincing evidence for one. No amount of arguing or persuading can change a person who is in this state. And if we could produce evidence or perform a miracle, they would simply be unable to see the reality of it anyway.
Jesus even taught that some would not believe though someone were raised from the dead. See Luke 16:31.
The distinction I draw is between wanting to believe and being willing to repent. There is a subtle but fundamental difference.