[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by zeek

One question though. What is your claim that "Paul knew" based on? Isn't it more plausible to suppose that Paul was human like the rest of us and that he based his beliefs on his experience?

Well, I guess many things could be plausible, but what is most probable is that Paul's knowledge of what he wrote about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 is base upon "the revelation Jesus Christ", which he received directly from God.

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11,12

And this is not referring to his initial experience (in Acts 9 when he was knocked to the ground and heard the voice "Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me"), for he continues with: I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem ..Galatians 1:16-18

So there was a three year period that Paul was receiving "a revelation", and I think there is a lot of evidence that many of the deeper and mysterious things he wrote about in his epistles he received directed form God during this 3 year period. He was pretty clear to the Galatians: For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, - I believe that it was during this period of time that Paul received a revelation directly from God regarding the things he wrote to the Corinthians all those years ago.