Note 3 at 1Co 15:36: Carnal man's knowledge and logic rest on experience. Most people would say there is nothing in our natural experience that allows us to grasp the resurrection of the dead. Intellectual man would say that's foolish. Yet, God is saying here that those who would doubt the resurrection because of that kind of logic are the fools.

In the next few verses, Paul drew on nature as ample proof that God can bring life from death and change the physical elements of a substance as it pleases Him (see note 4 at this verse, note 5 at 1Co 15:37, note 6 at 1Co 15:38, note 7 at 1Co 15:39, note 8 at 1Co 15:40, and note 9 at 1Co 15:42). The point is that there are plenty of examples in nature that illustrate the resurrection. The problem isn't proof but rather an unwillingness to believe the proof God has provided.

The creation of God (Ps 19:1-6) and the inner witness of God within every human heart (see note 2 at Ro 1:18) speak so loudly to us, that to deny the existence of God or doubt His ability to do whatever He pleases defies reason. God has given us heart and head reasons to believe Him. Those who don't believe Him choose not to do so. They have no excuse (Ro 1:20). They are the fools (Ps 14:1 and 53:1).

There has been a shift in the philosophy of our culture in the last 100 years to think that anything not confirmed by "science" is superstition. Faith in technology has replaced faith in God in many instances. That has made Christianity and many of its beliefs untrustworthy in the eyes of many people.

While no one doubts that technical advances have drastically changed our world, few would doubt that our social ills are getting worse. People are not only physical bodies. They have souls and spirits that only God can satisfy.

Faith in God is not foolish. Denial of faith is foolish.

Note 4 at 1Co 15:36: In the next few verses, Paul used a series of natural illustrations to explain the resurrection. In 1Co 15:36-38, he was speaking of seeds.

Seeds are buried in the ground and "die" (Joh 12:24). Then they are resurrected as plants. The plant and the seed bear no resemblance, but they are actually the same--the plant is just in a resurrected state. Likewise, our physical bodies will die, but they will be resurrected just as surely as seeds produce plants.