Cell groups: Inmates and seminarians study together

The class on spiritual autobiography was examining the inside cover of a narrative written by a former slave, Olaudah Equiano, in the 18th century. One of the students, Garcia Burnette, noticed that the page included a regal portrait of Equiano holding a Bible open to the book of Acts. He suggested that this could be a reference to Acts 12, in which Peter is delivered from Herod's prison. Burnette also noticed that another edition of the book portrayed Equiano in a red gown. "The red is like scarlet," he said, "a color of power."

"That's very insightful," said Willie Jennings, a professor at Duke Divinity School who was leading the class that day. "All of this is purposeful. [Equiano] wants to make sure he is interpreted as a full equal in society."

"Right," said Burnette. "Not just a slave or a savage."