If the Bible is God's Holy and Perfect Word, why would God not use it to speak to people. Understand, I'm not saying that it's the only way, but that God DOES use it to Speak to us. It's one of many different ways God draws us to Him. There is so much we learn from the Bible, about God and how He wants us to live. And the Holy Spirit guides us to passages that reflect on areas that God is directly dealing with us on.
But then, maybe Paul was wrong when he said in 2 Tim, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
And maybe the Psalmist has it wrong when he declares it a delight to meditate on God's Word: "1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper."
The bible calls itself the holy scriptures; NOT the word. Within it, it is written that the word was made FLESH. It is also written that the word is written upon your heart (FLESH) and is near to you, even in your mouth (FLESH).
No where is it written that the scriptures ARE the word. It is written that they are inspired BY God; not that they ARE God.
Hear and understand. This is IMPORTANT! Seek God fervently on this so you may know the difference in the scriptures and the word of God as it is even written within the scriptures and upon your heart. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
And yes, God uses the scriptures, but not if we exalt them above His Spirit.
When I say that the Bible is the Word of God, I'm referring to the Written Word, not our Messiah. There are things in the Bible that only God could reveal to man. Such as the Creation, His Law, and Revelations. In that, this is perfect, because it comes from God. Translations are a different matter. Anytime man recopies the Bible, or attempts to translate it, there is a chance for mistakes. In fact, there were specific requirements that the priests had to do when they made mistakes in their copies. God considered mistakes to be serious, because He does not want the People of God to be led astray. So the content of the Bible itself is perfect.
As for putting it above the Holy Spirit, no where in my post did I say we are to take the Bible over the Holy Spirit. What I did say was: "The Holy Spirit guides us to passages that reflect on areas that God is directly dealing with us on." I agree that the Holy Spirit is our Guide, our teacher.
Mark, I'm not sure if you assumed that this poll was a one choice, or if realized that it was multiple options. Many of the people who said they hear from God through the Bible, also said they hear from God through the Holy Spirit, as in, the Holy Spirit speaks directly to their heart, when they are not reading the Bible, talking to others, in a dream, etc.