Melon:
I must admit that I am very impressed with your level of research on this issue, and it has given me something to think about.
I know that this may sound somewhat illogical to an academic such as yourself, but one of the reasons I trust the Bible is that, despite humanity's bad record when it comes to religion, I believe that it would be quite easy for God to intercede to maintain the integrity of the Bible if he so desired.
I think you're quite right that if it was left up to us imperfect human beings alone, then I wouldn't trust the Bible farther than I could throw it. But if God has in fact had a hand in preserving its truthfulness, then I would still feel quite comfortable with it.