The claims of modern evolutionary science hold that we human beings are made of stardust from gigantic stellar explosions billions of years ago. Appreciating that science, Dr. Tallman notes that “each of us is 13.7 billion years old and has 4.5 billion years of evolution on Earth” (p. 206). That makes us very old! In the vastness of the cosmos, we may come to think of ourselves as quite small and rather insignificant. In the same paragraph Tallman reminds the reader of the claim of Francis de Sales, “humans are the perfection of the universe,” an insight not unknown to the authors of Genesis.

The challenge of recognizing and embracing one’s history lies in the ability to find some contemporary relevance for ideas and experiences of ages long gone. Can a Christian text from the 1600’s speak to a believer in the 21st Century? Tallman writes based on his own experience. Searching to answer the question, “How can I love God with my whole heart?” he came upon Francis de Sales’ Treatise on the Love of God in 1982. He re-discovers the two volumes in 2016 and senses a call to share some of its wisdom with the contemporary world.

In his condensed version of the Treatise the author demonstrates his respect for the significance of modern science as well as the profound challenges related to the quest for justice, peace, and care for creation. Tallman recognizes the potential of technology as well as its ability to distract us from a fully human and spiritual life. Exploring these topics and suggesting means of engagement, he draws on modern spiritual giants like Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, C.S. Lewis, and Teresa of Kolkota. Similarly, along with de Sales he incorporates long-standing holy ones like Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Thérèse of Lisieux, John of the Cross, and Augustine.

Tallman’s knowledge and use of Scripture highlights the insight of ancient sacred text for the modern spiritual journey. His repeated use of the Psalms roots rational considerations in the ground of prayer. Employing the Psalms, the author identifies ninety-nine names for God. Here he connects to the faiths of Abraham, making specific reference to Islam. Toward the end of the text, he provides an alphabetical listing of ninety-nine names of Christ in the Scriptures drawing on both the First and Second Testaments. Both listings invite the reader to consider and give oneself over in love to the Holy Mystery, a God always beyond our imagining.

Herein lies the fundamental insight of de Sales, and the conviction of Tallman. The social and spiritual crises of Western post-modernity call for a human surrender in love to God; to love God before all things. The author emphasizes that this requires not only a finding and loving God in all things. It simultaneously calls for finding all things in God. Spiritual maturity reflects a love for God alone. “If we love the consolations of God more than the God of consolations, it is nothing other than self-love” (p. 159). De Sales and Tallman invite the spiritual seeker to employ and move beyond both the silent contemplative encounter with God, as well as the experience of God in active service to the reign of God in the world.

Francis de Sales’ earlier and more popular work Introduction to the Devout Life provides direction for a lay person and a beginner on the quest for holiness. The Treatise serves the more advanced person. In the spirit of The Devout Life, Tallman incorporates engaging, practical examples from his own life as husband, father, and spiritual director. He puts flesh on de Sales’ considerations of “Complacence and Benevolence” – our resting and acting in divine love – with solid everyday examples from modern life.

God’s Ecstatic Love is, as the author states, a devotional text. While incorporating solid theological claims, and the wisdom of a wide range of seekers, Tallman only provides references to Scripture. The absence of footnotes allows the reader to enjoy the text without getting lost in one’s own mind or theological debate. At the same time, some of the theological perspectives are not without a difference of opinion. With de Sales, however, the author recognizes the wisdom in knowing when to stop asking questions. The text deserves a slower-paced meditative reading accompanied perhaps with a personal journal. Such a reading can help toady’s believer to have the zeal of “the perfection of creation” not because of one’s own achievement, but through a surrender to the Love which has loved us from the beginning so long ago.