[CarolinaGuitarman]

"For that matter, why were they able to choose anything at all?"

Because, according to the story, God gave them some latitude in behavior. Of course, he knew exactly how they would choose before he made them, because he was omniscient.

" He chose to create the way He did because to Him the end result was worth the cost."
" But what position is a clay pot in to question a potter's decisions?" Not much. A clay pot has no will of it's own. If the pot is defective, you blame the potter.
As someone famously said, if you are going to make an omelet you have to break some eggs.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Do you believe all foreknowledge is causative? If I "know" you are going to see the sun tomorrow does that mean I caused you to see the sun?

[xzins]

:>)

And here we are discussing theology....who'd a thunk it?

If they had latitude in behavior, and if God is absolutely omniscient, then God could have foreseen everything as in a preview, and then made necessary adaptations according to a plan to accomplish a desired end.

The flood would have been one of those adaptations. (So would the cross of Calvary.)

Again, God's desired end was more important than the cost along the way. I was worth the cost of His own Son's life.