在黑格爾關於法哲學的演講中，「北方原則」意指對於政治思想與從保羅到路德的基督教信仰之間關係的歷史性和系統性解釋。黑格爾的立場表達在他對於現代初期關於自然法和君主專制制度的批判。莉百加•柯玫最近檢視黑格爾對法國大革命和復辟時期的詮釋，她建議一種對於黑格爾精神哲學的心理分析解讀，也就將它當成一部關於回憶和哀傷的著作。沿著柯玫的思路，本文認為最近對於尼采和傅科著作中教牧權和國家的辯論早已在黑格爾著作中埋下伏筆。從路德神學的觀點與丹麥的歷史脈絡來看，本文引導讀者留意黑格爾立場的潛力，正如它表達在陶柏斯、魯曼、拉布斯漢、齊澤克、皮聘和呂格爾等其他現代學者的著作中。

In Hegel’s Philosophy of Right the “northern principle” denotes a historical and systematic account of the relation between political thought and Christian faith, from St. Paul to Luther. Hegel’s stance is explained in light of his criticism of early modern theories of natural right and absolutistic monarchy. In her recent examination of Hegel’s interpretation of the French Revolution and the Restoration, Rebecca Comay suggests a psychoanalytical reading of Hegel’s philosophy of spirit as a work of memory and mourning. In line with Comay, this article argues that current debate on pastoral power and the state in Nietzsche and Foucault are anticipated in Hegel. From a Lutheran theological perspective, seen in the Danish historical context, the article draws attention to the potentials of a Hegelian stance as this is addressed by a number of other contemporary scholars: Taubes, Luhmann, Labuschagne, Žižek, Pippin, and Ricoeur.