Creation, Evolution and the Handicapped: Book Review

Author: Pastor Richard Luther Corwin
Published: 23 Jun 2016 - Updated: 20 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Literature / Review

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This article, authored by Pastor Richard Luther Corwin, critically examines the intersection of creationism, evolution, and the treatment of people with disabilities, arguing that evolutionary theory - when taken to its logical conclusion - fosters a culture that devalues life, particularly the lives of the disabled and handicapped. Drawing from personal experiences, including the dismissal of a church colleague with multiple sclerosis and his own diagnosis of focal epilepsy, Corwin contends that evolutionary thinking has permeated even religious communities, leading to prejudice against those labeled as "Darwin's defectives".

The article is authoritative and thought-provoking, as it is written by a pastor with advanced degrees in philosophy and theology, and it challenges readers to consider how foundational worldviews shape societal attitudes toward disability, morality, and human worth. Corwin asserts that only a biblical worldview adequately supports the principles underlying science, logic, and morality, making his perspective particularly relevant for people with disabilities, seniors, and advocates who seek to affirm the dignity and value of all individuals, regardless of physical or cognitive ability. The article's examples - such as the church's response to disability and the broader societal implications of evolutionary dogma - offer valuable insights for anyone interested in the philosophical and ethical dimensions of disability and inclusion.*

At a Glance

• 1 - WestBow Press published the 364 page book in hardcover, softcover and e-book editions.
• 2 - Corwin has served Union Christian Church in Illinois for 20 years and has written for Christian Family Magazine and Disciple Renewal.
• 3 - An excerpt frames the subject as a battle of worldviews, asking whether people are products of a random chance universe or designed in the image of God.
• 4 - He holds a philosophy degree from Western Illinois University, a theology master of arts from Harding Graduate School of Religion and an apologetics degree from the Institute for Creation Research.

Topic Definition

Creationism and Disability

Creationism and disability describes the point where beliefs about human origins meet questions about the worth of people with impairments. Creationists hold that human beings were made deliberately by God and bear His image, which means worth is fixed at birth and does not rise or fall with a person's physical or cognitive capacity. Writers in this tradition contrast that position with what they see as the practical drift of evolutionary thinking, in which survival advantage becomes the measure of value and disability is read as deficiency. The argument is less about biology than about consequences: whether a society grounds human dignity in something unearned, or in traits that can be graded, compared and found wanting. Disabled people sit at the center of that dispute, because they are usually the first group affected when worth is treated as a variable rather than a given.

Overview

Creation, Evolution, and the Handicapped: Crushing the Death Image

In "Creation, Evolution, and the Handicapped: Crushing the Death Image" (published by WestBow Press), Pastor Richard Luther Corwin defends the proposition that evolution is unproven conjecture and is an illogical, self-contradictory theory. He advocates that only a biblical worldview "sustains the preconditions of intelligibility sufficient to sustain empirical science."

Witnessing the dismissal of an associate pastor from a church due to his multiple sclerosis and suffering the effects being diagnosed with focal epilepsy had on his own pastoral prospects, Corwin was inspired to write.

"I discovered that the evolutionary prejudice assigned to 'Darwin's defectives' had infiltrated the body of Christ," he says.

By following evolutionary dogma to its logical conclusion, Corwin suggests that it promotes a climate of death, a devaluation of life, and is detrimental to the disabled and handicapped. He presents evidence to try and show that only the biblical worldview can account for the uniformity in nature, laws of logic, morality and intelligence.

An excerpt from "Creation, Evolution, and the Handicapped":

The battle being fought is a battle of worldviews, a war, between two religions, that will cost us our souls and our children. Are we lost in a random chance universe or are we designed in the image of God? How we answer that question will not only determine our place in a secular world, but it will determine our spiritual destiny!

Pastor Richard Luther Corwin graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He has a master's in theology from Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis and recently graduated from the Institute for Creation Research in Dallas with a master's of Christian education in apologetics. Corwin has served Union Christian Church in Illinois for 20 years and has written articles for Christian Family Magazine and Disciple Renewal.

"Creation, Evolution, and the Handicapped" By Pastor Richard Luther Corwin

Hardcover: 6 x 9 in, 364 pages, ISBN 9781512728637

Softcover: 6 x 9 in, 364 pages, ISBN 9781512728613

E-Book: 364 pages, ISBN 9781512728620

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What is WestBow Press

WestBow Press is a self publishing division created by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, two long established Christian publishing houses. It allows faith based authors to publish and distribute their own titles while retaining rights to their work.

What is apologetics

Apologetics is the branch of theology concerned with giving reasoned arguments in defense of religious belief. Christian apologetics typically addresses questions about the existence of God, the reliability of scripture, and the relationship between faith and science.

What is focal epilepsy

Focal epilepsy is a form of epilepsy in which seizures begin in one specific area of the brain rather than across both hemispheres. Symptoms vary widely by location and may include altered awareness, unusual sensations, involuntary movements, or brief lapses in speech.

Are churches covered by disability discrimination law in the United States

Religious organizations are subject to parts of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but a ministerial exception recognized by the courts gives churches wide latitude over the hiring and dismissal of clergy and other religious leaders. That exception is why disputes involving pastors rarely proceed as standard employment discrimination cases.

What does the phrase image of God mean in relation to disability

The doctrine, often called imago Dei, teaches that every human being reflects God and therefore holds inherent worth. Disability theologians use it to argue that value is not tied to intellect, productivity, or physical ability, since the likeness is understood to be a gift rather than an achievement.

What was social Darwinism and how did it affect disabled people

Social Darwinism applied ideas of natural selection to human societies, treating some groups as less fit than others. It supplied intellectual cover for eugenics programs in the early twentieth century, which led to the institutionalization and forced sterilization of many disabled people in Europe and North America.

Do all Christians reject evolutionary theory

No. Positions range from young earth creationism to theistic evolution, the view that evolutionary processes were the means God used to create. Many mainstream denominations accept evolutionary biology while maintaining that humans hold a distinct spiritual status.

How can a congregation become more welcoming to disabled members

Practical steps include step free entrances and accessible restrooms, hearing loops or captioning, large print and plain language materials, flexible service formats, and sensory friendly options. Just as important is including disabled people in leadership and planning rather than treating access as a service delivered to them.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Corwin's work serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact that philosophical and theological frameworks have on societal attitudes toward disability. By challenging the compatibility of evolutionary theory with the intrinsic worth of all individuals, he invites readers to consider how deeply held beliefs shape our interactions with and support for those who are often marginalized. Corwin's work invites readers to reflect deeply on the narratives that shape our understanding of human value, especially in communities where science and faith intersect. By highlighting how philosophical frameworks can influence real-world attitudes toward the disabled, the article encourages ongoing dialogue about inclusion, respect, and the dangers of dehumanizing ideologies. Whether one agrees with Corwin's conclusions or not, his call to scrutinize the roots of our beliefs remains a vital challenge for all who care about justice and dignity for society's most vulnerable.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Pastor Richard Luther Corwin and published on 23 Jun 2016, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.