I'm working on a criminal justice question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

In this discussion board post, write about the Protestant reformation. Explain its causes, consequences, and impact (including the resulting counter-Reformation). Don’t just repeat facts, names and dates, but think about how fundamental a shift there was in the understanding of the individual’s relationship with God. Until the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church was Christianity in the West, under the remains of the Roman Empire – there was no difference between the two. Explain the shifts in thinking and practice necessary and resulting from Luther’s actions. Make sure you listen to the lecture and read the textbook, especially the section of the Early Modern period which is when much of this change manifested. Details from these sources should be reflected in your post. If you use external sources, be sure to cite them.