I have been studying the historicity of Christ for years and have even read some of the classic works on the topic. I too am convinced that he never existed and as I have stated many times his story is just a conglomeration of plagiarized pagan myths. It was interesting that you brought up the matter of the epistles being early works by Paul and his not mentioning much about Christ's earthly life. Not too long ago I started to think that the synoptic gospels were sort of an afterthought that was necessary to continue to perpetuate the Jesus Myth.
There is nothing people will not maintain when they are slaves to superstition
http://chatpilot-godisamyth.blogspot.com/
http://chatpilot-godisamyth.blogspot.com/