Following the Historical Jesus?

I was talking with someone today who claims to be unsure of God's existence.  Of the existence of any god for that matter.  The interesting thing is he grew up in the church, his parents are in ministry in the church, he's been a part of our youth group, he's played for our worship gatherings, and unsure of God's existence.

We've known each other for a year now, a year this Easter.  I love this guy.  He's special to me.  I don't believe him.

We've been having this conversation for a while now.  The one about him not believing in God.  He's been told about God for much of his life, believed for a period of time, and then one day began to ask the question, if God is actually real, why won't He just show Himself?

He asked this in church one day...they told him that he couldn't play the drums in the church service anymore if he was questioning the existence of God.

His question became a decision.  If this is how christians are going to react to a question I have, then I don't want to believe in their god.

Done.  Just like that.  God doesn't exist.

So our conversations have morphed a bit now.  Like I said, I don't really believe him.

Today we were talking again and I told him that I didn't think he struggled with the reality of God so much as he struggled with the picture of God that has been presented by those who claim His name.  He said he thought I might be right...

I encouraged him to follow Jesus, there is no questioning His existence.

Is it possible to follow Jesus and question the existence of God?

Is it possible to follow Jesus and not know that He is God?

I'm thinking of the story in Mark 2 where the four men bring their friend who is lame to a house that Jesus was teaching in.  The house was packed so they climb to the roof, tear a hole in it, and lower their friend down.  Mark tells us that Jesus saw their faith, and said to the man "Your sins are forgiven."  Then He heals him.  Not once do we see the man, or his friends for that matter, say anything at all.  What was their faith?  Was their faith that Jesus was God?  Was their faith that Jesus was the Messiah?  Or was their faith simply that Jesus had a reputation for healing people, so chances are He could heal their friend too?

The interesting thing is Jesus was ok with whatever their faith was, they had come to Him with their need.  So he forgave the man's sins...and He met the man's need.  He healed him soul and body.

Oh, and Mark says that Jesus claimed to do this so that all present would know that He is the Son of Man, a direct reference to being divine.

It's as if Jesus were ok with the friends bringing the man to Him with no claim of recognizing who He really was.  He then used that as an opportunity to clearly state who He is.

I really hope my younger brother will choose to follow the historical Jesus.  I'm not even concerned that He may not be able to recognize Him as divine.  I don't think Jesus is concerned with it either.  I do think it won't take long for any disciple of Jesus, under any circumstance, to begin to recognize that there is more to this One, He is no mere human.