So I've been reading two recent books on the Bema, "The Judgment Seat of Christ: A Biblical and Theological Study" by Hoyt and "Your Eternal Reward: Triumph and Tears at the Judgment Seat of Christ" by Lutzer. I finished the Lutzer book and passed it along to another bro who wanted to read it. This book was an easy read and I agreed with 96.7% of what it said. The brother I gave it to is quite well read, and said he is enjoying it.
The book by Hoyt is a much more academic and systematic approach, and therefore I have to engage my brain a little more (oh no!
). I'm maybe 1/3 through it and so far both books agree on the main points regarding the Bema. However, last night I read where
Hoyt stated that the unfaithful servant in Matthew 25 was not a believer. Surprisingly, he did not go into much detail other than to quote one other person on the subject. Up until that point he pretty exhaustively covered each and every point he's made, very systematically.
The reason I can't agree is that Jesus starts this parable by saying this, "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods."
BTW - This goes along with what Jesus told regarding the 12 virgins in the preceding parable - they were all virgins, they all had lamps burning (although half were going out), they all arose to meet the bridegroom.
Can anyone provide a solid reason from scripture that any of these ones presented in Matthew 25:1-30 were not born again?