Computational Theology Lab Yale Divinity Library

Projects

Research at the intersection of computation and theology

Active Projects

Christ Blessing, Gerard David (ca. 1500-1505). Oil on wood
In Development

Dexterous Robots and Religious Icons

This project begins with an image: a hand raised in blessing, a mudra held in stillness. Across religious traditions, the position of the fingers is carefully specified. It carries theological meaning and has been painted, carved, and performed for centuries. Working between art history and computational practice, we ask what happens when these gestures are translated into code and enacted by a dexterous robotic hand. Dexterous robotic hands, mechanical systems that reproduce the fine finger articulation of the human hand, are now common in surgery, manufacturing, prosthetics, and humanoid design. Here, they are repurposed for iconography. The questions at stake are theological as much as technical. A robotic hand lacks belief, intention, and a devotional body, yet it can reproduce a sacred gesture with precision. Does the gesture retain its meaning, and what might make its performance authentic? Religious communities have long adopted new tools, but rarely has a tool been asked to stand in for the worshipping body itself. What does that substitution reveal?

  • Karen Phan
  • Clifford Anderson
  • William L. Potter
Syriaca.org interface
Active

Syriaca.org

Syriaca.org: The Syriac Reference Portal is a digital project for the study of Syriac literature, culture, and history. Today, a number of heritage communities around the world have linguistic, religious or cultural identities with roots in Syriac language and culture. Syriaca.org exists to document and preserve these Syriac cultural heritages. The online tools published by Syriaca.org are intended for use by a wide audience including researchers and students, members of Syriac heritage communities and the interested general public. In order to meet the diverse needs of users, the design of Syriaca.org is inherently collaborative and fluid.

General Editorial Committee

  • Dr. David A. Michelson — Vanderbilt University (General Editor)
  • Dr. Daniel L. Schwartz — Texas A&M University (Director)
  • Dr. Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent — Marquette University (Assistant Director)
  • Dr. Nathan P. Gibson — Goethe-Universität Frankfurt (Editor)
  • William L. Potter — Yale University (Editor)
  • Dr. James E. Walters — Abilene Christian University (Editor)

Lab Contributors

  • Jonah Causin
  • Elijah Sturges
  • Mikey Tang (2025-2026)
Visit Syriaca.org
MapTheo visualization
In Development

Mapping Theology (MapTheo)

Theology is fed by complex processes of reception and interaction with the theological tradition. Lines of reception are exemplified in research and shape the self-perception of theology and its themes, traditions and canonical texts. The MapTheo project aims to use digital research methods to map and analyze the topics, lines of reception and formation of tradition in theology on the basis of publications in journals, monographs and anthologies.

Project Lead

  • Dr. Clifford Anderson — Computational Theology Lab, Yale
  • PD Dr. Frederike van Oorschot — TheoLab, Heidelberg/Zurich
  • Johannes Fröh — TheoLab/Bonn University

Lab Contributors

  • Dominic Abraham
  • Jonah Causin
  • Elijah Sturges
  • Hope Chang (2025-2026)
  • Arne Kaefer (2025-2026)

Project Board

  • Prof. Dr. Raúl Zegarra-Medina — Harvard Divinity School
  • Prof. Dr. Evan Kuehn — North Park University Chicago

Project Partners

  • Dr. Martin Faßnacht — FID Theologie/IxTheo
  • Timotheus Chang Whae Kim — FID Theologie/IxTheo

Publications

Completed and Archived Projects

Jonathan Edwards exhibit display
Archived

Synthetic Media for Religious Education

“Deepfakes,” synthetic media generated by deep neural networks, have become increasingly common in many sectors, from social media, edtech, and business marketing to museum exhibitions. This trend raises ethical concerns about voice and image manipulation. While much ink has been spilled on the topic of AI and ethics, the application of deepfakes to historical figures warrants further scrutiny. Unlike living subjects, historical figures cannot contest replications of their image and voice. This historical silence makes ethical considerations crucial. In light of “posthumous creativity,” scholars are now rethinking originality, authenticity, and intellectual property.

Project Team

  • Mikey Tang
  • Graziano Krätli
  • Clifford Anderson

Publications

  • Tang, Michael Zhaohan, Graziano Krätli, and Clifford Anderson. "The Ethics of Deepfakes for Cultural Heritage: A Hybrid Exhibition of Reanimated Jonathan Edwards as a Test Case." Poster presented at the ACH 2025 Conference, Virtual, June 11-13, 2025.
  • Anderson, Clifford B., Graziano Krätli, and Manal Mekhael. “Analyzing Images: Human and Machine Classification.” In AI and Academic Libraries: Practical Strategies for Ethical Integration, Instruction, and Innovation, edited by Karim B. Boughida and Russell Michalak. Chicago: ACRL Press, 2026. Forthcoming.

  • Anderson, Clifford B. "Beyond ‘deepfakes’: Stewarding Authenticity in Digital Cultural Heritage." Presented at the Wikimedia+Libraries International Convention 2025, Mexico City, Mexico, January 16, 2025.