I was wrong to suggest that historical information relating to Bible
times is never relevant. I view the study of all history as important
for us to be well informed, but expecially the history that connects
with the Bible. I do include some extra-biblical historical facts in my
preaching. i.e. I often mention that Jerusalem and the temple was
destroyed by the Roman in AD
70 as Jesus predicted. When I mention that Jesus used exactly
the same portents (sun, moon, stars, powers) as in Isaiah 13 for the fall
of Jerusalem in AD 70, I might mention that the date for the fall of Babylon
is known.
What I denied was that knowing the history of all that went into making
a Bible text is relevant to my preaching. Parents do not need to
know how the 900 essential ingredients of mother's milk are produced to
enjoy their newborn baby.