When scholars speak of "tampering" and "interpolations" we may get the impression that Christianity has been inventing its own stories or making things up as it goes along. Indeed, popular culture reinforces this. I know from first hand experience that the art community insists upon it. However, when a text- or a set of pericopae covering similar topics- regardless of their origin, are reiterated together it is likely they are considered to have spiritual value along a common theme. These in turn may be further redacted or transmitted in altered forms in the same way scripture readings and hymns are re-set together in lectionaries. ("Apocryphal" doesn't necessarily describe the historic Church's treatment of extra-biblical texts so much as it describes modern scholars' and modern Christianity's treatment of them).
Consider an analogy: Archeologists may debate the process and details of glassmaking in colonial Williamsburg but one may also visit live glassblowing demonstrations and experience the process firsthand. A visceral experience, though out of time, may give the observer insights regarding the intentions and decisions made by colonial glass artisans in a way that scientific methodology cannot. Similarly, observing the liturgical and devotional use of ancient Christian texts (which can entail its own kinds of "tampering" and "interpolations") can offer insights into the intentions and decisions made by ancient authors. Conspiracy and nefarious legend-building fall away quickly when it is understood that the written word we see in manuscript form insufficiently reflects a tradition of building imagery through liturgical song and finding poetic beauty in ascetic practice.
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