Consider the problem of determining whether a quantifier-free formula $\phi$ is satisfiable in some first-order theory $\T$. Shostak's algorithm decides this problem for a certain class of theories with both interpreted and uninterpreted functions. We present two new algorithms based on Shostak's method. The first is a simple subset of Shostak's algorithm for the same class of theories but without uninterpreted functions. This simplified algorithm is easy to understand and prove correct, providing insight into how and why Shostak's algorithm works. The simplified algorithm is then used as the foundation for a generalization of Shostak's method based on the Nelson-Oppen method for combining theories.