I found it!
I've tried to remember the book I described in the original post off and on over the last 30 years. Since the advent of the internet, I've searched for it many times, with no luck. Asking about it here sent me off on another long bout of searching - and I FOUND IT!
The book is The Shroud by John Coyne, published in 1983.
The main character's name is Jamie, and he's not James the brother of Jesus, but rather another brother, called Judas Thomas. Anyways, I'm glad I found it.
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