"That’s the sort of thing I’ve read in sensationalist pseudo-scholarly works. Usually in the “New Age” section."

So, you've been told- guess by who. You're the one believing in pseudo-scholarly works and worshipping as a pagan. You're certainly not worshipping the God Jesus knew. As Paul wrote (he did get some things right), God will send a delusion over those who think they are saved but are not. Read it yourself, it's in that book you claim is inerrant.

There are no coincidences. Our conversation has a reason to happen. God has a reason for it.

It's time for you to break that illusion.

Where did I learn those things? Maybe over the course of 45 years of reading multiple versions of the Bible, including scholar's Bibles. Or, maybe in was from Religious Studies at university, or from extensive personal studies of works by both "Bible" scholars and religious scholars. Or possibly from extensive readings other than the KJV. Which seems to be the source of your knowledge. Maybe it was from a study of history rather than the fairy tales i.e. lies I was told in Sunday School, which seems to be your level of knowledge. I don't blame any of those people or any self-professed Christian for teaching me lies; it's what they were taught and all they knew. It's what you were taught. But- I realized I had to grow up if I wanted to live the way God wanted me to. Even the creator of your Jesus, the Jew named Saul until he changed it to the pagan name Paul, wrote that anyone born again is still a baby in spirit and like babies grow in the flesh, they must also grow in spirit. Look it up, it's right there in your NT.

I suggest that if you honestly (and I'm beginning to question that) want to know God then do some actual research, not just the from the 'Christian' scholars because the version of Jesus they believe in will influence their conclusions- no one can be totally unbiased in those situations. Biases will always taint any study. There are many scholars and historians who don't believe the things the Church claims to be true. You really should balance your studies by reading some of their works, too. Do you have any idea what the purpose of the Council at Nicea was intended to do? Or that there were two held there? Do you know anything about the history of the Roman Empire or about Constantine or Justinian, when every writing about Jesus or early Christianity that didn't fit their chosen narrative was gathered and burned by the Church?

Look it up. Those things happened. God will forgive you for you know not what you have done. God wants Mercy from you, and mercy is what Jesus said- love every other person and treat them as you would want to be treated. It's pretty simple, really.

I do hope you'll make the choice to break off the shackles the Church has put on your mind and recognize it as the ravaging wolf Jesus warned would come.

Btw, most, but not all, of that 'New Age' stuff is not very impressive and tends to be wrong.