BB, not only were those books in the Bible highly edited, as you say, they were also selected from among a number of books, many of which were rejected by the same Council of Bishops. They can offer nothing more than a few fragmentary glimpses from the perspective of a few specific individuals in the early Christian church, each with their own ax to grind. Most of the more interesting material I've ever read about Jesus came from other sources than the Bible. I regard the Bible the way I would regard any other ancient book...a product of its time...not the one, only, and perfect Word of God.

No book is or ever will be the one, only, and perfect truth. Life itself is the Truth. Therefore, study life if you wish to know the truth.