Do you think the bible can be understood without the help of the Holy Spirit? There are many people who read the bible that could not understand it properly...including myself. It was not until I humbled myself, asking God to reveal Himself to me. My heart was truly seeking Him for the first time and only God knows these things...there is no faking it. I could then read scripture with new eyes to see.
I think a question that needs to be discussed is...Can a person grieve the Holy Spirit enough where scripture will not be revealed to them, even after they believe? For instance, can we distance ourselves from God due to unforgiveness, sin, pride and a list a mile long of other things? I think most of us would say yes.
The bible has no saving grace in and of itself...only the words to eternal life, that must be brought to life by faith and the working of the Holy Spirit that brings us to repentance in the knowledge of Christ our King.