[zeek]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

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 hear 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.

As the gravity of a star warps the space-time continuum around it, so does an encounter with the Divine Inexplicable seem to warp the categories of reason. Paul fell into the well of eternity where distinctions between an instant and three years fall apart. But, Paul didn't claim to be God himself. So, I assume that he had an ordinary human cognitive apparatus like the rest of us.