What if there was a different way
To tell the Jesus story?
Metta Valley Gospel
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A story for those grieving the faith that once defined them
“For anyone healing from fundamentalism, this book feels like freedom.”
—Cindy Wang Brandt, author of Parenting Forward
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Raised in a world of rules and shame, Jesus has always questioned what others accept. He’s sharp, restless, and tired of being told who he’s allowed to be. When his defiance finally erupts in a clash with the rabbi who trained him, he is forced to leave his home behind. Angry and unmoored, he wanders the ancient world in search of a new beginning—stumbling instead into a journey that will overturn everything he was taught to believe.
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His path leads him east, into a remote Buddhist monastery tucked in the mountains. There, as he faces the voices of shame and fear within him, he begins to unlearn the stories that once held him captive and to imagine a freer, more compassionate way of being.
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Metta Valley Gospel is a work of literary, philosophical, and historical fiction about Jesus—an engaging, imaginative retelling for anyone healing from fundamentalism or reconstructing their spirituality.
Perfect for fans of The Book of Longings, The Alchemist, Lamb, and other character-driven, historical and spiritual fiction.
More early praise:
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“Helton’s engaging adaptation of Jesus’s story… opens the imagination to the depths of our shared histories.”
—Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Life
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“For anyone navigating deconstruction or searching for an authentic spiritual path that does not abandon science or self honesty, Metta Valley Gospel is a welcome companion..."
—Brittney L. Hartley, author of No Nonsense Spirituality
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“Not since Christopher Moore’s Lamb has there been a fictionalized retelling of the Jesus story that had this much imagination, style, and punch.”
—Rev. Dr. John R. Mabry, author of The Worship of Mystery
If you're ready for the Jesus story they never taught in Sunday School, this is a good place to start.
A Jesus story for the rest of us
Jesus returns to Judea carrying a hard-won vision of freedom, compassion, and truth. But the world he reenters has little patience for a defiant teacher who won’t fall in line. The Temple watches closely. Rome waits for a mistake. And even those who love him struggle to understand where his path is leading.
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As crowds gather and the pressure mounts, Jesus is forced to reckon with the cost of speaking plainly in a world built on fear and control. His teachings draw hope from the margins—and suspicion from those in power. Friends argue. Loyalties fracture. And trusting the Way becomes harder as the walls of opposition close in.
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Metta Valley Gospel: Book II is a work of literary spiritual fiction and historical fiction about Jesus, written for readers who have deconstructed inherited religion—or who are searching for a way to engage the Jesus story beyond orthodoxy. Blending historical imagination with the spirituality of nonviolent resistance, this novel asks a dangerous and enduring question:
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What does it mean to carry the light of liberation in a world determined to snuff it out?
A companion for readers who want to go deeper
This guide offers space to pause with Metta Valley Gospel: Book I—to think, question, and listen for what stays with you after the story ends.
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Each section includes brief reflections and open questions meant to start real conversations, whether with a group or within yourself. There are no right answers, only an invitation to stay with what moves you.
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Inside you’ll find:
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Short reflections connected to key moments in the novel
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Discussion questions for groups and book circles
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Prompts for personal writing or quiet thought
Simple in form, honest in tone, and made for readers who prefer conversation over conclusion, this companion guide keeps the spirit of Metta Valley Gospel alive—one question at a time.