because it fails to answer the question of which books should be in the bible and which shouldn't. In reality the Church chose the books it wanted to make authoritative - and rejected others which really aren't so different, along with a lot that are...

Ultimately there is a step of faith involved in accepting the authority of the bible, and there's no good way to avoid it. However I do still encourage you to read it regularly - ALL of it. Have a go at reading Revelation all the way through - it's... different. Don't try too hard to understand it - just try and live the vision yourself. And do read the gospels. Read them like a normal book - all in one sitting; far too often we just read bits and lose the wider perspective. Don't argue about the bible - read it for yourself and see what happens!