And thanks for your appreciation of history !
To expound on my earlier statement about Church before the Gospels were written, I'd like to post the Luke's introduction to his Gospel:
" Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."We see that these are accounts from the early Christian community, Church; and that investigation, discernment and teaching has occurred before we come to the writing of this Gospel.
Luke is a good journalist and historian, as well as a good doctor!