This quote is from A.A. Hodge’s Outlines of Theology (Chapter XVIII entitled, “The nature of sin and the sin of Adam”):
“What is the FIRST great mystery connected with the origin of sin?
How or why was the existence of sin tolerated in the creation of a God at once eternal, self-existent, and infinite in wisdom, power, holiness, and benevolence?
All the attempted solutions of this enigma which have been entertained in our day have been summed up by Prof. Haven of Chicago as follows:
‘Either God cannot prevent sin, i.e., either (a) in any system, (b) in a moral system involving free agency.
Or for some reason God does not choose to prevent sin, i.e., either because (a) its existence is of itself desirable, (b) or though not in itself desirable it is the necessary means of the greatest good, or (c) though not in itself tending to good it may be overruled to that result, or (d) because, in general terms, its permission will involve less evil than its absolute prevention.’
It is obvious (a) that God has permitted sin, and (b) hence it was right for him to do so. But why it was right must ever remain a mystery demanding submission and defying solution” (A.A. Hodge, Outlines of Theology, p. 319).
Here is another shard from Rebellious Potsherd Calvinism. This is yet another vain attempt to cloak the calumny of the wisdom, power, holiness, and justice of God with false epistemic humility. I wonder if Hodge has ever read the Scriptures which speak of Christ as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8), or of God’s “eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:11)? Do these aforementioned verses really “defy solution” as to why God actively caused sin to enter His creation in order to glorify Himself in the Person and Work of His Son?
The Scripture is clear as to why God caused sin to enter into the world. It is people like Hodge and the like-minded hordes of "humility" who refuse to submit to the Sovereign Controller of the Universe who “desiring to demonstrate His wrath, and to make His power known, endured in much long-suffering vessels of wrath having been fitted out for destruction, and that He make known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy which He before prepared for glory, whom He also called, not only us, of Jews, but also out of nations” (Romans 9:22-24).
