Book Title: The Patch Theorem: A Philosophy of Death, Life and Time
Author: Prof. Charles Mwewa
Reviewer: Stephen Misori
In many cultural contexts, the mere mention of death often invokes discomfort. Writers, too, have skirted around the subject, fearing potential backlash.
But why this aversion? Is death not as natural a part of life as birth or growth?
This poignant question lies in the soul of every believer, even as spiritual leaders urge them to reconsider their perspectives on mortality.
In this era where discussions about death are often avoided, it’s crucial to question whether death is truly as grim as it seems, or if it might harbor unexpected virtues. This inquiry forms the heart of this book’s exploration, challenging readers to confront their fears and preconceptions about mortality.
Prof Charles Mwewa, in his book ‘The Patch Theorem: A Philosophy of Death, Life and Time’, navigates the delicate balance between life and death, seeking not only to understand but also to embrace the inevitable.
Reading this book evokes a sense of appreciation for the past, a call to embrace the present, and a belief in the future. For those who believe in life after death, it serves as a moment of reflection on their lives and a reminder to support humanity. However, to non-believers, it may simply be another book among the many available in bookstores.
In the opening chapter, Mwewa introduces death as the last rite every human must undergo before a new and better world is formed. He says: “When you have a clear view of death, you have a clear view of life.”
According to him, death is inevitable and when one fully understands that they will die, they also get to know that now, is the time to do good.
Mwewa narrates that in death, this life ends, and another begins at some point later, for good or for bad.
He pens: “To those who believe in Jesus Christ and do good in Christianity, death may be a nice, uninterrupted sleep, waking up into eternal bliss and splendor.”
Accounting System
The author qualifies the belief of Christians that death has never defeated anyone who died in Christ. He writes in his book that death can only have a lethal bite, if those it kills fail to regain life.
“This is possible only if death can also prevent resurrection or reincarnation,” he notes.
Mwewa explains that death and life are an accounting system, and at some point, everyone will be called upon to give their account.
He delves into this when he writes that: “All religions recognize this fact, that the creator will require an account of how we lived our lives. In that regard, life is a gift with instructions on how we should live it.”
He explains further the four states of death, when he describes death as an act, as a process, as a state and as a personality.
“As a state, according to the Bible, by faith, Christians are already dead; they died with Christ in baptism,” he argues.
However, he challenges those who believe that by living longer, they are righteous before God. He asserts that the longer one lives on earth is only important if one lived it meaningfully. He explains that it would be a liability to live a long but a fruitless life.
Mwewa says that both prayer and medication have the power to postpone death. In qualifying this argument, he says death and life are a joint venture between God and humans, and both have a say.
The author submits that only God has the power to give and to take a life. “Satan can take life, but he cannot create life,” he argues.
Author of Life
He borrows from a verse in the Bible that states: “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Whereas Satan has the power to kill, the author asserts that he cannot create life, and only God is the author of life.
He writes further, “God has both the right and the power to kill human life, humans do not have the right. The reason why death will be killed (thrown into the Lake of Fire) is because it murders or kills.”
Mwewa says the cost of death is justified, and the living must honour the dead. Even though the dead are incapable of appreciating the gesture, loving them in death is a good way of sending them to the afterlife.
He writes, “Therefore, it is one’s responsibility to honour their living body; but it is others’ responsibility to honour the dead body, while it is God’s prerogative to take care of the soul.”
Mwewa notes that since the true end of everyone is held by God, none should laugh at the funeral of another. In the book, he explains that in mourning the dead, we don’t forget that when they lived, they were just like us.
“And we must bury the dead with the soil of good memories and water them with tears of love,” Mwewa pens in his book.
Rhythm of Life
The prolific writer delves into the relationship between time and death, penning that they are inversely related—where one exists, the other ceases. He utilizes this concept to advocate for responsible living, urging humans to engage in meaningful undertakings during their lifetime.
“Life begins time, death ends it. Time only impacts the mortals, not the divine and the immortals. It establishes purpose and governs activities,” he says.
The author says death can be defined as the end of time, and that nothing happens in death, time stands still.
Mwewa, in this book, gives a clear view of the role of time, and he says every heartbeat corresponds to the rhythm of life. He adds that the first thing that stops when a person dies, is the beating of the heart.
He reminds humanity that humans and animals age because they live within time.
“Therefore, with God, those who died thousands of years ago are as if they just went to sleep yesterday. When the resurrection happens, God will be familiar with everyone who ever lived,” Mwewa says.
Mwewa says if time was eliminated, people would either be alive forever or would be dead forever. He says that when time is suspended at death, everyone will rise at the same time, as if it was just yesterday when they died.
Christians are reminded that sin is not only failing to believe in Jesus Christ or doing bad things. Mwewa submits that sin is, too, an omission. He writes, “All humans are presumed to be in a state of sin; they are born in sin according to the Bible.”
He borrows from the Bible that: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me…”
The author explains that it was through sin that death entered the world. He says just as death entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so did death come to all people, because all sinned.
This book reminds humans that God has prepared a plan of how everyone will die or be raptured.
Chapter 2 of the book explores the intricate design of the soul, positing that it possesses the inherent ability to perceive God. The author contends that the soul serves as the nexus of human impulses, embodying a fusion of divine and natural elements.
Soul’s Pivotal Role
Through meticulous analysis, Mwewa unveils the soul’s pivotal role as the conduit between the divine and the earthly realms.
It delves into the essence of the soul, portraying it as both a reflection of God and an embodiment of human nature.
Within the soul, he describes an inherent mechanism he terms “the patch,” akin to an internal alarm clock signaling towards death.
He writes thus: “It ticks less the farther away a person is from death, and grows louder the closer they are.”
This concept illustrates the soul’s connection to the inevitability of mortality, echoing throughout the book’s exploration of life’s deeper mysteries.
Mwewa introduces the concept of the patch system, which appears to be divided into three parts: The Subconscious Patch, The Subcortical Patch, and The Subphemeral Patch.
Collectively, these components are referred to as the Triphemeral Dimension of the Patch (TPD). This framework provides a structured understanding of how the soul’s internal mechanism operates, offering insights into the complexities of human consciousness and its relationship to mortality.
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The TPD serves as a grace-filled facility, orchestrated by both divinity and nature, aimed at rescuing the soul from eternal damnation.
Of particular significance is the Subphemeral Resolution, which demonstrates that even in seemingly improbable situations, humans are granted express authority by God to redeem the soul.
This revelation adds depth to the book’s exploration of spirituality and the potential for divine intervention in the human experience.
