Why would anyone follow John Calvin when they have the Bible?
Exactly, that’s why no one does.
Calvinism is simply another name for biblical Christianity. Sadly, the Roman Church hid the faith from sinners for centuries. It took men like Wycliffe, Hus, Luther and Calvin to recover the gospel. By the time they came along so few understood what Christianity is and what it looks like movements developed in their name. But, make no mistake, Calvinism is Christianity. God is sovereign in all things, including the salvation of sinners.
“Why would anyone follow John Calvin when they have the Bible?”
So now you’re a Sola Scriptura guy? Cool!
Exactly, that’s why no one does.
Really ignorant remarks. Calvin and the other 16th Century reformers are WHY WE HAVE THE BIBLE!!! Bible reading and study by the common man was first allowed and taught by Calvin, Luther and the other reformers.
Calvin is also arguably the father of the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation, which all (conservative, bible-believing) bible scholars today take for granted, as the primary way of understanding a biblical text in context. Medieval scholastic biblical interpretation before Calvin was a mess, to say the least.
The great majority of Protestants today have some elements of Calvinism as part and parcel with what their churches believe, and how they are governed.
Even something as basic as representative democracy...or a democratic republic (a Free Republic) is a variation on rule by elders (representatives) which was pioneered and developed by Calvin. Before him it was church rule strictly by dictate of priests, bishops and popes.
Even assumptions such as rule of law (same law for everyone...not a divine right of kings)and, title-deeds for property ownership, and free-market capitalism...all in some measure are due to Calvin and Calvinism.