There are some books that are light fun reading and others that challenge us to think about what we would do, if put in the same situation. Would we be willing to sacrifice the truth for ourselves or sacrifice ourselves for the truth is the challenge that came with a historical fiction book I finished reading. This book initially grabbed my attention with the word “spy” and then fought for my attention for several years.
I always have 5-10 books that I am “reading” or at least trying to read. However, as a homeschooling mom of five kids under the age of nine, finding time to read for pleasure is tough. I started this book while I was still working part-time and had a lunch break. Lunch and break don’t really go together anymore.
My point is, even though it took me a while to finish this book, I do highly recommend it. It is not a work of Christian fiction, but nonetheless, I believe it is a good read because of the lessons we can pull out of it.
You see, the novel An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris is based on an actual occurrence in history. The Dreyfus affair rocked the world to its core at the time. This political scandal took over France in the 1890s and then gained international attention as well.
Lessons to be learned from the Dreyfus Affair
The Dreyfus affair brings up so many questions and lessons that we as Christians need to look into and teach our children as well.
- When a mistake that can make us look foolish is made, do we tell the truth or cover it up?
- When it becomes evident that a person has been wrongly accused, do we fight for the truth to be told?
- When given the opportunity to maintain a certain high-level status, job position, title, or wealth, are we willing to give it all up in the name of honor, justice, and truth?
- Are we willing to suffer the consequences of living for the truth?
- When the government is bound and determined to maintain that their wrong is right, and punishes those who are not in agreement, will we give in?
- Do we take people at their word in order to make decisions or do we investigate things for ourselves?
- Would you be willing to do all this for someone you don’t even like?
Sacrifice Truth for Ourselves or Sacrifice Ourselves for the Truth
The main character, Georges Picquart, had to determine the answers to these questions, in the course of discovering whether or not Dreyfus indeed was a a spy and a traitor or had been wrongly convicted. As evidence mounted to Dreyfus’ innocence, Picquart faced taking on the entire Ministry of War cabinet, which had promoted him to Colonel and given him this investigative position. With the threat of facing the same traitorous accusations and living a death sentence, Picquart sacrificed himself for a man whom he did not like and who he was ethnically against.
This book made me want to learn more about the history behind it all and like I mentioned above, it drives home what we as Christians have to choose to do daily. Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves daily as Christ did? If not, then we are choosing to sacrifice the truth.
Are we willing to risk our:
- source of income
- our comfortable lives
- our physical well-being
- even our mental sanity
for the truth?
Will we be courageous and stand tall for our faith no matter the cost? We get to decide to hold on to Jesus’ truths and all that entails.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
At first, I was a bit put off by the selfish nature of the protagonist, Georges Picquart, but the fact that this was based on history kept me intrigued. How could so many be willing to sacrifice the truth? I wanted to understand how it all worked together and piece it together in the process. (Warning: The main character does have two main affairs, one of which lasts the course of his life. I don’t recall any explicitly detailed descriptions, but know that the affairs are talked about and a few times it is mentioned that they are going to bed together. So, obviously, this isn’t a good bed time story for kids.)
From small to big ways, Satan continually tries to get us to sacrifice the truth in favor of ourselves. In this particular story, many chose themselves over the truth. One man in the midst of them clung to the truth. His insistence on clinging to the truth encouraged others to dig in and see the truth too. This is how we need to be. We need to cling to Christ’s truth so much so, that it inspires others to dig into His truth as well.
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I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
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