But a copyist of an original would copy the style of the original.
Not necessarily, Jer. Even today copyists take great liberties. Even so with a copy of a copy... of an original. For example, you state:
we bury the idea that the Gospel of John disagrees with the Synoptic Gospels and other points that were already made about it, such as it's being written in Greek long after the events written about occurred with people who spoke Aramaic.
There is the [very] erroneous school of thought that the account attributed to John (which was actually written by Lazarus, or "Simon") was originally written in Greek. Indeed, there is this thinking as to all of the accounts, with debate largely being limited to the account attributed to Matthew. Yet, as you state, these people (excluding Luke, and possibly "Mark") SPOKE Aramaic. What logic is there in assuming that people whose first language was Aramaic would write, originally, in GREEK? As certain accounts insinuate, they were largely loyal to the Hebrew Jews FIRST, then the Greeks (they often didn't even consider the latter as "true" Jews). There is even a writing entitled "TO the "Hebrews"... yet, it's in Greek. Shouldn't THAT make someone go, "Hmmmmmm..."?
Why Greek? Some surmise that it was the next primary language of the times among the Jews, their other language. Okay. But to assume the writings were ONLY in Greek... when there was certainly a very large HEBREW (and thus Aramaic-speaking) Jewish population in Jerusalem, larger, in fact, than the Greek-speaking population (because most of the latter were merely travellers, in the City solely during certain major festivals)... makes no sense. Paul was a Roman... and so, he probably spoke Greek as well as the "Latin" tongue of the Romans. Given the demographics of HIS ministry (Corinth, Galatia, Thessolonica, Timothy, etc.), it makes sense that HIS writings would originally be in Greek.
Whether in Aramaic or Greek, however... copyists often take some, if not great, "license" when copying/translating. My husband is a master calligrapher... which some refer to as a "scribe" or "copyist." Through him, I am personally acquainted with several much-revered modern-day copyists, including Thomas Ingmeyer... who was engaged as one of the master calligraphers on the recent "St. John's Bible" project:
http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/see/
http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/see/explore.htm
http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/process/people_thomas_ingmire.html
http://www.scriptsf.com/
Due to attending a few exhibits and seminars regarding compilation of the St. John's Bible, I came to learn of how Bible (versions) are often actually commissioned:
http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/process/dream.htm
... viewed:
http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/process/principles_vision.htm
... completed:
http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/process/production.htm
... and... sanctioned:
http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/process/principles_bible.htm
http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/heritage/
I realize that this is only one Bible (version)... but in attending the seminars, I also learned that because they are ALSO considered "works of art"... great license is given. I say this because, as I was reading some of the actual texts that would go IN the final version, presented in slide presentations as well as printed "proofs", I noticed how some verses didn't say exactly what the "original" it was COPIED from (the NRSV... which was the NEW version revised from the RSV) said. This, then, is yet another "revision", actually. And I promise you... if some were to read it, say, in a format more available to the common people... they would think that this WAS an exact copy. How would they know otherwise (meaning, few would bother to compare).
I share this, though, because... again... through that literal process I came to know, as was told to me by my Lord... who allowed me to SEE, for myself... that that whole "copied with care and precision" is... as some like to say, "BS." There are a multitude of reasons for why that is, including prophesy, similarities in certain Hebrew symbols... and a copyists own talents, as well as his/her limitations (in perception and comprehension).
BUT... you've stated that you don't really want to discuss the matter... so...
Just thought I'd share that, though. All fragments and writings... and their original languages... aside, one CAN know the truth about ALL of these things... if one just condescends to go to the One they want to know ABOUT... by going to... and/or through... His Son.
For whatever it's worth...
A slave of Christ,
SA
Not to scale
52 .