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As I am sure you are aware Alex, the Old testament was compiled and edited just as much as the new. Those books that did not make the final version are probably long lost to us now but not so those that did not make it into the new testament. Many have been rediscovered and others are known of through mentions and quotes in the writings of others. Of course many of them are in languages other than Greek, as that was the chosen language of the official compilation hence an edited version, so a knowledge of Aramiac, Coptic and other ancient languages would be needed.
When translating Egyptian texts from the Amarna period Arthur Breasted quickly noticed striking similarities between hymns and poems attributed to Akhenaten and the psalms. This is obvious proof (should any be needed) that to fully understand the Hebrew and Christian religious texts a good understanding of the surrounding cultures and beliefs, such as Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Babylonian, Assyrian etc, is not only useful but vital. Gilgamesh is an obvious example of source material, as well as other texts on law and creation myths.
Easter began life as a spring festival and ask yourself, if it just celebrates the date of one death and resurrection why is it the date changes in line with moon cycles every year?
