Yes, well, it's called politics. Pity that it infiltrated the church. However, this was predicted by Paul (2 Thes. 2:1-12). Till this day the Catholic Church claims the succession of the Popes, from Peter to the current Pope. So each must decide to what extent current teachings and traditions influenced historians, writers and commentators, where to draw the line and what to believe. Opinions will differ, from those that are total sceptics (modern scholarship) to those that believe all the handed down traditions (e.g., Catholics). I find myself in the middle, leaning towards the conservative side. I believe two sayings: 1) "Where there is smoke there is fire." 2) Allow for the benefit of the doubt if at all possible. This is closer to history, so scientific method will not necessarily work. Nevertheless, some of the principles could be applied. In my mind one could elevate one's beliefs up to the "theory" stage.
Scientific method starts with the postulation of a theory (the word theorem; theory being derived from Greek theoureou ‘I look at, behold.’ See also Greek ‘’ide ‘See! Behold!’ and Latin video ‘I see’) or hypothesis (from Greek hypotithenai to put under, suppose). The process would include astute observation and careful accumulation of available evidence. From these a theory or hypothesis could either be proved or rejected. [To the contrary, preconceived ideas would pose a threat to scientific method. These could prevent objective reasoning to take place, entice one to tamper with the evidence, cause one to adapt one’s data to suit the occasion or to ignore that which contradicts.]
hypothesis, theory, law mean a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature. hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation (a hypothesis explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs). theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth (the theory of evolution). law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions (the law of gravitation). See Webster.