Book Review: Produced By Faith
Book Review: Produced By Faith
The book Produced by Faith authored by Devon Franklin (2011) is a non-fiction motivational and a career guide book primarily written for the Christian audience of all ages. The author’s primary goal is to provide guiding principles for devoted Christian, striving to make significant life achievements for themselves without compromising their Christian beliefs.
The title suggests that religious faith is a fundamental ingredient needed to realize meaningful career success. Although the author uses liberal Biblical references, the book is extensively limited to a Christian audience. It is written from the point of view of a modern Christian that also targets persons of other faiths.
DeVon Franklin is a known American filmmaker, motivational speaker, preacher and also serves as the President of Franklin Entertainment. He derives his authority to give an influencing career advice from these achievements. He shares his experience and success in the Hollywood film industry as an example and proof of the practicality of the advice he advocates for in the text.
Devon Franklin is a devoted Seventh Day Adventist, and a preacher who’s has made significant sacrifices in his professional career to accommodate the beliefs of his church. He believes that one doesn’t have to choose between his faith and pursuance of a career. The author is of the opinion that having strong spiritual faith helps one in their professional life hence giving real success and contentment. Some of the important professional attributes that faith enhance include honesty, integrity, and purpose. He advises that without these qualities, one may realize professional success but fail to endure and last in it. He says, “Faith and work are two flanks of the same coin” (Frankline, 2011).
Produced By Faith is the best motivational and career guide book for secular Christians who wish to achieve career success without having to abandon their beliefs and religious practices. Franklin gives sound and inspiring advice on how individuals can design career strategies and give tactics applicable in propelling a successful professional career. He also provides insight on how the film industry works through his experience.
Building a career is a sacrifice, not a compromise. Therefore, it requires deliberate effort and endurance through hardships with the hope of succeeding. He gives an account of his personal success story that inspires the reader to plan and take up responsibility for their future career. As a young African-American working as an intern in various film companies, he envisioned his greatness and worked towards its realization. He became the vice president at Columbia Pictures and successfully made hit films such as The Pursuit of Happiness, Jumping The Broom, and The Karate Kid. Although challenging, he did not abandon his faith while building a career in an environment that promotes moral decay and consumerism.
The book using a persuasive literal language to help the audience understands that success doesn't come by accident. One has to make deliberate efforts to plan, implement and promote his goals in a competitive manner and in an ethically acceptable fashion. In a clear and easily comprehensible language, the author is of the view that many people know the right thing to do but fail because fear and doubt cloud their resolve. Keeping one's faith alive gives a person hope and courage that God will provide a helping hand when they fall short of will and strength.
He indirectly suggests that the process of making a film in Hollywood is a representation of the steps and challenges one goes through to realize a purposeful life. The process of development and scripting of a story, filming, marketing and distribution show how one passes through the steps of defining and building a successful professional life without compromising beliefs. In this example, fundamental aspects such as people skills, making the right choice, surviving the “Development Hell” and the uncovering the “The Big Idea” result in a practical career that thrives on integrity and character (Frankline, 2011). People who put personal fulfillment and ambition ahead of spiritual faith are bound to be less contented with their achievements. The book uses a spoken conversation style and a personal tone that makes the readers feel as if the author is directly talking to them.
The book makes an extensive use of biblical advice that somehow alienates readers who profess faiths other than Christianity. He has mentioned God numerous times in his counsel and seems to rely entirely on his faith to develop thoughts. Talent and passion which are the fundamental seeds of success come from God; faith is the foundation of professional life; actions should preach Gods Will; God defines a person. He quotes biblical verses such as 1 Corinthians 13:13 that emphasizes the importance of exercising love and faith in a person’s life activities. Expressions such as “become the best professional and Christian,” “career is a spiritual pursuit,” and “when things happen [they] belong to God” makes the book more religious rather than secular. Although the book refers to Biblical scriptures, Produced BY Faith put forward an enthralling argument that having a robust and unwavering commitment to your faith can help one achieve a greater sense of purpose and success. It is a good read that ignites desire and commitment to achieve career success in faith.
Release Date: 2011
Price: $23
Length: 256 pages
References
Frankline, D. (2011). Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self. Los Angels: Howard Books.
