Allan,
It's a bit more than an "interesting little study".
It is a very complex, scholarly, and time consuming study, that you can spend years on, if you really want to dig into it.
Is the development of the canon really an issue for you?
You say that as far as you know, there is nothing in the bible explaining how books of the bible should be compiled.
My question to you is, what does that matter?
Would you believe that information if it WAS in there?
It seems to me that you most likely have no belief in the bible at all.
Therefore, it wouldn't matter if the bible contained this information or not.
So... if you don't believe the bible anyway, then all you're doing is looking at extra-canonical books you don't believe, and comparing them with canonical books which you also don't believe.
A bit circuitous and pointless isn't it?
Maybe you should spend some time thinking about more foundational questions:
- Is there a God?
If you conclude that there IS a God, that raises other foundational questions:
- Is there such thing as Sin?
- Am I a sinner?
- If I'm a sinner, how do I get rid of my sin, so I can be just before God?
If you are not a Christian, and you currently have no relationship through Christ with the creator, then you have much bigger issues than the development of the canon.