Laura Knight-Jadczyk's book, From Paul to Mark: Paleo-Christianity, examines New Testament texts and the available writings of that period. She says from the outset that she avoids the extremes of dogmatic apologetics and modern atheism. She spends a lot of time with the work of Josephus, pointing out how many passages were likely redacted by Christians intent on shaping the narrative. She examines timelines using what is known about the events of the period from Roman historians, noting that there have been redactions there as well, missing bits of information which might have provided essential clues. But there is much evidence nevertheless, as she notes that contradictions still exist.
Did a real Jesus exist at all? Laura suggests that there were two Christs being promoted, one by Paul among groups such as the Essenes throughout the Roman Empire, and the other by a core of Messianic revolutionaries in Jerusalem. The earliest versions of the New Testament appeared in the early 2nd century CE, and by the end of the 2nd century the compilation had been expanded and refined, likely by Polycarp who had a strong hand in combining the Paulian and Jewish Messianic narratives. In conclusion, the Gospels were religious propaganda loosely based on the life of Judas the Galilean. Paul's Christ was a more enigmatic figure, perhaps a spiritual being, based on his belief in a "multi-layered universe." Zoroastrianism, Middle Platonism, and of course Judaism all influenced his world view and writings. Well, you can read the book for yourself.
Isn't it kind of silly to think you could find a man who "looks like Jesus" today? One scripture claims that Jesus will come upon the clouds and every eye shall see him. Another says that people will say, look here or there, but do not go after them. People seem to be caught up in the Divinely Appointed Savior trap. I'm not suggesting that there is nothing good about the Gospels. Quite the contrary. "Seek and ye shall find." - Matthew 7:7. "The Kingdom of Heaven is within you." - Luke 17:21.