That time Bonhoeffer asked Ghandi to teach him about Jesus

A newly published letter highlights the unexpected connection

Pretend it’s 1934? Living in Nazi Germany, you’re 28 and a rare Christian leader who is against the rise of a murderous, authoritarian regime. Where do you go to learn how to oppose Hitler, defeat an empire, and re-start your own religion? For Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it meant going to India to meet Ghandi. He writes to him, asking if he can.

The letter has been noted in biographies, but never available—until today! It’s posted on Twitter! A remarkable moment between two 20th century icons. Bonhoeffer needs a mentor and model of political resistance, and there isn’t one anywhere in Christianity.

Except, perhaps, Jesus. He hopes Ghandi can teach him about that.

His approach isn’t that smooth.

From all I know about you and your work after having studied your books and your movement for a few years, I feel we Western Christians should try to learn from you, what realization of faith means, what a life devoted to political and racial peace can attain. If there is anywhere a visible outline towards such attainments, then I see it in your movement. I know, of course, you are not a baptized Christian, but the people whose faith Jesus praised mostly did…