Abstract
The development of biomedical technology has introduced new ethical questions and has sharpened some old ones. It is not obvious that old ways of formulating Christian ethics are adequate to deal with these questions. I first sketch two approaches: (1) "code ethics," and (2) "situation ethics," and point out some of their limitations. My main purpose is to consider bioethics in the context of chiasmic cosmology , which views the universe in terms of Luther's theology of the cross. This emphasizes the biblical understanding that God's work is characteristically done with the appearance of weakness, hidden under the form of its opposite. Chiasmic cosmology is presented, and some of its general implications are drawn out. In this setting, I then look briefly at abortion, the use of life support systems, and genetic engineering as representative issues of bioethics.