Christian publishing made big headlines in 2011, with the industry twice cited among the Top 10 religion stories of the year by leading religion journalists.

The 30th annual Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) survey included publication of Rob Bell's controversial Love Wins (HarperOne) and Bible translations among the most important events of the year.

The RNA poll noted that Bell's book, “presenting a much less harsh picture of hell than is traditional,” stirred discussion in evangelical circles, with messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention rebutting it.

Bible translations also made the list for “celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version; criticism, notably by Southern Baptists, about gender usage in the newest New International Version; and completion of the Common English Bible (CEB).”

Paul Franklyn, Associate Publisher of the CEB, said that the new Bible was newsworthy for several reasons, including the speed with which it had been produced—four years. That was “a phenomenal feat when compared with other recent modern Bible translations that took 10-17 years to complete,” he said.

Another noteworthy element of the CEB was its breadth, said Franklyn, with a collaborative effort by 120 academic scholars and editors, 77 reading group leaders and more than 500 average readers from around the world taking part.

Since its launch in August, more than half a million copies are in print. The CEB was sponsored by an alliance of five denominational publishers—Chalice Press, Westminster John Knox Press, Church Publishing, Inc., The Pilgrim Press and Abingdon Press.

Topping the RNA news list was the death of Osama bin Laden, for spurring “discussions among people of faith on issues of forgiveness, peace, justice and retribution.”

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