The first paper I heard at ETS was during the very first session on Wednesday, the very first day. (Might as well hit the ground running!) Dr. Fred Chay, professor at Phoenix Seminary, presented a paper entitled "The Role of First Century Shame and Honor Codes from the Secular through the Sacred Concerning the Pauline Theology of Judgment at the Bema Seat." He argued that Paul used the Bema seat in 2 Cor 5:9-10 within the context of honor and shame to promote proper Christian behavior.
Understanding this thesis may require some additional background. Many NT scholars argue that the values of honor and shame were primary motivators for people's behavior in the ancient Mediterranean world (similar to many non-Western societies today). A person did all they could to achieve honor, and everything to avoid shame. The Bema seat was the raised platform from which an ancient ruler would pass judgment on those who came before him. A positive judgment brought honor, and a negative judgment brought shame. Dr. Chay's argument essentially makes the point that Paul is encouraging Christians to live in such a way that Christ passes a positive judgment upon them, thus gaining honor from him. In the ancient world, this would be a strong motivation for behavior which pleases the Lord.
Dr. Michael Burer is Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is the assistant project director for the NET Bible and has contributed various studies to the bible.org site. His first book - A New Reader's Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, co-authored with Jeff Miller - was published Fall of 2008. 
Is a copy of the paper you refer to available? "The first paper I heard at ETS was during the very first session on Wednesday, the very first day. (Might as well hit the ground running!) Dr. Fred Chay, professor at Phoenix Seminary, presented a paper entitled "The Role of First Century Shame and Honor Codes from the Secular through the Sacred Concerning the Pauline Theology of Judgment at the Bema Seat." He argued that Paul used the Bema seat in 2 Cor 5:9-10 within the context of honor and shame to promote proper Christian behavior."
Thnank you,
Dan
There were not enough copies of the paper to go around, so I did not get one, and a quick Google search did not turn up an online version. My guess is the author is preparing it for publication.
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