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‘Living Skillfully’ requires a change of heart
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWn
William “Bill” J. Finnigan boasts a resume with multiple academic degrees, including a doctor of ministry; has served 27 years on pulpits in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; has been engaged in active ministry for more than 50 years; and authored three books including his latest, “Living Skillfully.”
The self-described “street kid” from Newark, N.J., who “grew up in the hood” and was no stranger to gangs, said none of what he has accomplished would have been possible without a “change of heart.”
In his youth, Finnigan said a Presbyterian minister asked him where he stood with God. That question started a change in Finnigan that evolved into his life’s work.
“I knew I needed to change. I prayed for the Lord to come into my life,” he recalled. “Salvation begins on the inside.”
At the time, Finnigan admitted the new perspective was “not without difficulty.” But, he continued, he realized he had “to have a foundation and build on that.”
Finnigan found that foundation in the Bible, which he describes as “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” It’s “our life manual,” he emphasized. He noted that when people don’t pay attention to the advice in the Bible, it’s like using a new appliance without reading the instructions then wondering why it’s malfunctioning.
“Living Skillfully” is 546 pages of commentary on each verse in the 31 chapters of the Book of Proverbs authored by Solomon, the son of David who was king of Israel.
Finnigan said Solomon offers “nuggets of wisdom from God” that “like the parables of Jesus, proverbs depict earthly situations that point to heavenly applications, bywords, similarities, ethical wisdom and popular moral sayings.”
Finnigan said he translated the Book of Proverbs into Hebrew “to get the original meaning.”
Though he accomplished that task, Finnigan said his book is not a translation but commentary on the verses. The book was 40 years in the making.
The 81-year-old author, minister and teacher said through his commentary, he hopes readers will “use the knowledge skillfully.” He continued that “many people are making a living but never learned how to live.”
In Finnigan’s view, that way of life has contributed to a “confused, lawless world” in which many people are experiencing depression and mental discord.
He said many people have knowledge but how to use it effectively is missing.
“Common sense is lacking, and it’s been lost in selfishness,” he observed.
“People are caught up in themselves and don’t think of others. We say we care but don’t act that way.”
Finnigan added many people “see only the external appearance and not recognize the spirit inside.”
Finnigaan has been an instructor at Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley for almost 20 years; he teaches basic living skills three days a week.
He said some at the mission found themselves in a downward spiral because of poor choices about alcohol, drugs and other issues.
He said his message is, “You’re not what you should be, not what you will be, but you’re not what you used to be.”
“They’ve lost their identities,” Finnigan said. “We have a creator and are responsible to God, but we don’t want to be responsible,” he said, adding “that’s action against nature.” Christianity, he said, “is not a religion but a relationship with God.”