The Bible Period by Period A Manual for the Study of the Bible by Periods — Context and Discussion

Moral Commentary as Authorial Signature

Tidwell does not merely narrate biblical events; he evaluates them with explicit moral language. In describing David’s adultery, he writes that David “fell from his exalted position to the level of an unprincipled eastern monarch,” a phrase that reveals Tidwell’s own cultural and ethical framework. He further asserts that “no crime today involves more sudden and terrible consequences” than adultery, a claim that blends historical observation with contemporary moralizing. This pattern recurs throughout the excerpts: Tidwell characterizes Abner’s act as “one of secession,” and he praises David’s domestic policy for recognizing “that the king was for the people and not the people for the king.” These judgments are not neutral; they reflect Tidwell’s conviction that the Bible provides direct guidance for “wise and worthy conduct.” Readers should note how Tidwell’s commentary shapes the interpretation of events, often presenting a single moral perspective rather than multiple possibilities.

Structural Choices: Outlines and Numbered Lists

Tidwell organizes his material into clear, enumerative structures. In the excerpt on David’s reign, he breaks down “the element of success and chief acts” into numbered points: (1) capture of Jerusalem, (2) foreign relations, (3) home relations and policies. Each point is then elaborated in a paragraph. This outline style is consistent with the manual’s stated purpose: to offer “a large number of topics for study and discussion” rather than extended prose. The numbered lists serve a pedagogical function, helping students memorize key facts. However, they also impose a tidy framework on complex narratives, reducing ambiguity. For instance, Tidwell lists David’s foreign policy as “one of conquest” without exploring the ethical implications of subduing other nations. The structure thus prioritizes clarity and memorization over critical analysis, a choice that shapes how the reader engages with the material.

Study Questions as Directed Reading

Each chapter concludes with questions that guide the student toward specific conclusions. While the excerpts do not include the full questions, Tidwell’s preface indicates that the manual is designed to help students “gain a working knowledge of the contents of Biblical history.” The questions likely prompt recall of outlined points and moral lessons. For example, after describing David’s sin, Tidwell might ask students to list its consequences, as he enumerates Nathan’s rebuke and the “bitter consequences.” This approach treats the Bible as a source of definitive instruction rather than a text open to interpretation. The questions reinforce Tidwell’s authorial authority, directing readers to accept his framing. Readers should consider how the question format limits exploration of alternative readings or historical-critical perspectives.

Diction and the Voice of the Instructor

Tidwell’s word choices reveal his dual role as scholar and preacher. He uses phrases like “beautifully described in the Scripture” and “shows what terrible remnants of sin there are in the hearts even of converted men,” the latter a quotation from another source that he endorses. His description of David’s guerrilla warfare in the “Cave of Adullam” and the “crushing blow” at Rephaim employs vivid, almost dramatic language. At the same time, he maintains a formal, instructional tone with terms like “ascendancy,” “treacherously killed,” and “utter failure.” This blend of elevated diction and moral intensity creates a voice that is both authoritative and personally invested. Tidwell’s choice to include a quotation from an unnamed source (“shows what terrible remnants…”) adds a layer of external validation, though he does not cite it. Readers should attend to how Tidwell’s language positions him as a trustworthy guide while subtly shaping emotional responses to the text.

Tidwell’s manual is best approached as a period-specific pedagogical tool rather than a neutral introduction. His moral commentary, outline structure, and directed questions all serve to present a unified, conservative interpretation of biblical history. Readers interested in the history of biblical education or early 20th-century Protestant thought will find this work revealing. For those seeking a more critical or diverse reading, it may be useful to compare Tidwell’s choices with contemporary scholarly approaches.