In the 19th century, the Great Commission was redefined in light of American cultural ideologies. Under Pelagian assumptions, pragmatism became the order of the day and the realization of the Great Commission came to be understood in terms of human effort and ingenuity instead of the Sovereign work of One who has all authority in heaven and on earth. This shift in fundamental understanding continues today in the various techniques promoted as effective methods for fulfilling the Great Commission and, in the process, the Gospel is often compromised or displaced altogether.