How does Flannery O'Connor use imagery in Everything That Rises Must Converge?

In the story, The Lame Shall Enter First, O'Connor employs strong religious imagery and symbolism. Sheppard, who refuses to believe in God, believes that both Johnson and Norton are too intelligent to believe in something as incredulous as religion. At the same time, he sees himself as a Christ-like figure. Sheppard helps young teens straighten out their lives, but unlike Christ, he does so for his own ego. Helping children makes him feel like a better person..... a feeling that fuels his need to do good deeds. He also believes his actions are more important than those of religious figures...... that “his credentials are less dubious than a priest’s,” meaning Sheppard thinks his education is better than the religious figure’s.