“Ryrie is (was?) far more a scholar than this entire thread put together.”
It depends what you mean by “scholar.”
Have you noticed you haven’t answered my questions?
For example, do you believe there are two peoples of God and two (or more) plans for salvation?
Do you believe the OT saints were saved by faith in Christ?
Those are just two questions for now, though I have so many more. Thanks in advance for answering.
The answer of 2 people of God. Yes, I believe there is a distinction between the natural branches and those grafted in (Rom 11). That is why there are 12 gates and 12 foundations in the New Jerusalem at the end of Revelation. Have you never read that? It is also the probable reason there are 24 elders around the throne (2x12.)
Are there 2 plans of salvation. Yes.
Romans 10: 5 Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."
6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
So, yes, there is a righteousness that is by law and there is a righteousness that is by faith.
It matters not in the count of different ways of salvation that the first is impossible for mortal man to accomplish.