Western civilisation would not exist without Jesus, a leading United States academic has said.

Writing about the new Jesus the Game Changer DVD series, Christian speaker Karl Faase, from Australia, cites American sociologist of religion Rodney Stark, one of those interviewed for the series.

In an article by Faase published today by the Evangelical Alliance, Stark is quoted as saying: "Western civilisation would not exist, had not there been Jesus."

Stark said the rise of modern modernity is rooted in the Church. "It's rooted in Christianity. It's rooted in Jesus. These things didn't happen in the rest of the world."

Jesus is the foundation of the unconscious assumption of western society that we are all equal, we are "our brother's keeper" and that we ought to help those in need, he said.

Jesus gave value to women, elevated the position of children and gave the teaching that created universal educational and health care for every level of our community, he added.

Faase argues: "At a time when the inclusion of Christian faith in the public square of contemporary society is being questioned, it is essential to recapture our history and to understand the origins of the foundational assumptions of our community. Jesus, St Paul, St Augustine and the early Church gave western democracy its foundational assumptions.

"Jesus' life and teaching in many areas was a game changer and that was never more true than in the worth, dignity and care for every individual."

This video is Olive Tree Media's trailer for Jesus the Game Changer.